Breaking news: Ufc buys strikeforce!

**THEKEVINBRAND** · 03-12-2011, 12:47 PM

The Ultimate Fighting Championship's parent company now owns its closest competitor.

Zuffa has purchased Strikeforce, UFC President Dana White told MMA Fighting's Ariel Helwani. The news was made public on Saturday.

With the purchase, UFC now controls the contracts of almost every fighter in the USA TODAY/SB Nation consensus rankings, other than a few athletes in Bellator Fighting Championships and a handful of Japanese competitors at lighter weights.

Nothing changes for the brands in the near term, White said. Strikeforce has a deal to run several events this year on Showtime, a network that White has publicly disparaged often. Zuffa co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta can handle any dealings with Showtime, White told MMA Fighting.

"Lorenzo can go over there and deal with Showtime," White said. "I'm sure the last time Showtime wants to see is me show up at the doorstep and go over and start having conversations. And that's no big deal. ... there's a lot of guys on that side of the table who don't like me."

The fighters in Strikeforce will continue to fight for that organization and deal mainly with Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker, White said. Although UFC can help Strikeforce grow and tweak the operation, for now there will be no crossover between the brands as far as sharing fighters, he said.

"We won't be doing any superfights," White said. "Even when we own it, we don't co-promote, period."

**SilverGhost** · 03-12-2011, 12:56 PM

That is great. Also a good idea to not mix the fighters.

**Rich Cranium** · 03-12-2011, 01:00 PM

It's like when WWE bought WCW. I hope this doesn't interfere with the Strikeforce Tournament!

**The New Guy** · 03-12-2011, 01:02 PM

Originally Posted by Rich Cranium

It's like when WWE bought WCW. I hope this doesn't interfere with the Strikeforce Tournament!

History has been made guys. This is huge. I'm extremely excited

**Rich Cranium** · 03-12-2011, 01:06 PM

Well, at least there is not an 'invasion angle'! So, I take it the SF tourny will not be interrupted. My hat's off to Dana for his approach!

**The New Guy** · 03-12-2011, 01:09 PM

Could this means that Batista/Lashley is off?
I hope so

**Rich Cranium** · 03-12-2011, 01:10 PM

Originally Posted by The New Guy

Could this means that Batista/Lashley is off?
I hope so

Lashley is in the MMA 'indy's' anyway. He is in the TFC!

**Kashdinero** · 03-12-2011, 01:38 PM

Last edited by Kashdinero; 03-12-2011 at 01:41 PM.

**Rich Cranium** · 03-12-2011, 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by Kashdinero

I reckon that was by choice, as Lash is a proud guy and that loss must have seriously crushed his confidence. Bobbys in this for the long haul, and Dana would be stupid to deny him a return to StrikeForce.

Chadd Griggs is a beast!

Side note: I'm not too happy about this buyout, as they have some guys there that Dana has refused to work with again, and we may be deprived from seeing some of StrikeForces UFC rejects.

Again, Chad Griggs!