Matching Strikeforce and UFC Fighters Can’t Be Delayed Ever since Zuffa, LLC acquired Strikeforce, Dana White has made it perfectly clear that bouts between UFC and Strikeforce fighters won’t happen anytime soon. This point was underscored recently as Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker shot down swirling rumors over a proposed match between Strikeforce Lightweight Champion, Gilbert “El Nino†Melendez and top UFC 155 pound contender, Jim Miller. The rumored bout seemed to provide something the current Strikeforce roster can’t, specifically a legitimate title challenger. Without sharing some of the UFC talent, it is difficult to see Strikeforce independently staging interesting fight cards. With his recent destruction of Tatsuya Kawajira, Melendez dispatched the last viable challenger for the lightweight title he has held for better than two years. The short list of possible opponents won’t make many mouths water. One name on the list is Josh Thompson who was soundly beaten by Melendez in their 2009 rematch. But more importantly, Thompson’s most recent fight was a losing effort to the same Kawajira that just got finished in a single round by Melendez. Beyond Thompson, the names most often thrown around are young guys that still need to earn their shots. And Strikeforce does a great job of exposing fans to new, up and coming talent. The Strikeforce Challengers series has given fans a glimpse of potential future 155 pound contenders in guys like Justin Wilcox, Bill Evangalista, Carlos Fodor and even UFC Hall of Fame offspring Ryan Couture. Unfortunately none of these fighters is within a year of being ready for a top five lightweight like Gilbert Melendez. None of them have proven themselves to the point that fans are clamoring to see them in with El Nino. The drought of contender-caliber talent isn’t limited to just lightweight as it really spans almost every weight division at Strikeforce. The über popular, or perhaps notorious, Nick Diaz is probably in a more dire situation. Diaz holds the Strikeforce 170 pound belt. It has been widely reported that Diaz is seeking a boxing challenge as he doesn’t see an interesting MMA fight on the horizon with Strikeforce. And contrary to his personality, this isn’t just blind boasting by Diaz. There really are no worthy challengers left for him to pummel either verbally or in the cage. Coker has been quick to throw the name of Tyrone Woodley as the likely next foe for Diaz. Again, Strikforce has done an amazing job of showcasing Woodley (8-0 MMA Record) to fans via the Challengers series. His Division 1 wrestling background has allowed him to rip off 6 straight victories under the Strikeforce promotion. But a fight with Diaz would equate to a Sears Tower type of leap in opposition for Woodley. To the fans, the experience disparity makes this a potential match up that would generate little anticipation or interest. Generating fan interest will be difficult given Strikeforce’s wading pool-like depth of talent, but keeping their top fighters interested seems impossible. Melendez made a point of calling out the UFC Lightweight Champion after his win over Kawajira. And Diaz seems to be headed to the boxing ring for his next fight. Both guys seem to know what Zuffa fails to comprehend, there is nothing left for them to prove outside the UFC.
