Strikeforce MMA: From the Ashes

[maxicheezestick]

 

July 1, 2012.

 

Strikeforce MMA has been acquired from the UFC parent company Zuffa by Showtime Networks, a subdivision of CBS Corporation. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. Showtime President David Nevins has named Strikeforce MMA founder Scott Coker as President of Strikeforce MMA and has renewed Strikeforce MMA for two years on Showtime. "It is an exciting time for all of us here at Strikeforce and we hope we can deliver a quality product for MMA fans" said Coker.

 

 

*Authors Note* Special Thanks to Tag01 for his 2012 Modern Warriors mod. My goals for this series are to help grow Strikeforce back into a competitor for the UFC and to fulfill some of the ideas that Strikeforce had planned before they were sold. I hope you all will enjoy following along and if you have any ideas that you would like to suggest, feel free to send me a PM.

[maxicheezestick]

<p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Strikeforce Champions</strong></p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Heavyweight Champion</strong></p><p>

Vacant</p><p>

Past Champions (since July 2012)</p><p>

None</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Light Heavyweight Champion</strong></p><p>

Vacant</p><p>

Past Champions (since July 2012)</p><p>

None</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Middleweight Champion</strong></p><p>

Luke Rockhold</p><p>

Past Champions (since July 2012)</p><p>

None</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Welterweight Champion</strong></p><p>

Nate Marquardt</p><p>

Past Champions (since July 2012)</p><p>

None</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Lightweight Champion</strong></p><p>

Gilbert Melendez</p><p>

Past Champions (since July 2012)</p><p>

None</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Womens Featherweight Champion</strong></p><p>

Cris Cyborg</p><p>

Past Champions (since July 2012)</p><p>

None</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Womens Bantamweight Champion</strong></p><p>

Ronda Rousey</p><p>

Past Champions (since July 2012)</p><p>

None</p></div><p></p><p></p>

[maxicheezestick]

<div style="text-align:center;"><p><span style="font-size:18px;"><strong>Strikeforce Lightweight Grand Prix Announced</strong></span></p></div><p></p><p> </p><p>

Today, Strikeforce President Scott Coker announced the start of the Strikeforce Lightweight Grand Prix. The tournament will start in September at Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Healy with the first two fights of the first round of the tournament. The tournament will decide the number one contender for the Strikeforce Lightweight Championship, currently held by Gilbert Melendez. Coker also revealed the brackets for the tournament which will be as follows: Josh Thomson vs. Mitsuhiro Ishida, Shinya Aoki vs. Isaac Vallie-Flagg, Eddie Alvarez vs. Mizuto Hirota, and Jorge Masvidal vs. Yancy Medeiros. Thomson vs. Ishida and Masvidal vs. Medeiros will take place at Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Healy with the other two first round matches taking place in November at Strikeforce: Cormier vs. Kyle.</p>

[maxicheezestick]

<p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p>Strikeforce MMA events for July-December 2012.</p><p> </p><p>

July: <strong>Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Kennedy</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>

Strikeforce Middleweight Championship</strong></p><p>

Luke Rockhold vs. Tim Kennedy</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Strikeforce Welterweight Championship</strong></p><p>

Tyron Woodley vs. Nate Marquardt</p><p> </p><p>

Roger Gracie vs. Keith Jardine</p><p> </p><p>

Lorenz Larkin vs. Robbie Lawler</p><p> </p><p>

August: <strong>Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>

Strikeforce Womens Bantamweight Championship</strong></p><p>

Ronda Rousey vs. Sarah Kaufman</p><p> </p><p>

Jacare Souza vs. Derek Brunson</p><p> </p><p>

Tarec Saffiedine vs. Roger Bowling</p><p> </p><p>

Anthony Smith vs. Lumbumba Sayers</p><p> </p><p>

Ovince St. Preux vs. Keith Berry</p><p> </p><p>

September: <strong>Strikeforce: Melendez vs Healy</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>

Strikeforce Lightweight Championship</strong></p><p>

Gilbert Melendez vs. Pat Healy</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Lightweight Grand Prix First Round</strong></p><p>

Josh Thomson vs. Mitsuhiro Ishida</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Lightweight Grand Prix First Round</strong></p><p>

Jorge Masvidal vs. Yancy Medeiros</p><p> </p><p>

Jordan Mein vs. Cyborg Santos</p><p> </p><p>

Yoel Romero vs. Ron Humphrey</p><p> </p><p>

November:<strong>Strikeforce: Cormier vs. Kyle</strong></p><p> </p><p>

Daniel Cormier vs. Mike Kyle</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Lightweight Grand Prix First Round</strong></p><p>

Shinya Aoki vs. Isaac Vallie-Flagg</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Lightweight Grand Prix First Round</strong></p><p>

Eddie Alvarez vs. Mizuto Hirota</p><p> </p><p>

Rafael Cavalcante vs. Carlos Inocente</p><p> </p><p>

Germaine de Randamie vs. Liz Carmouche</p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

*The results for Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Kennedy will be post soon so feel free to post your predictions for the card.</p>

[Wayne28]

I wish MMA diaries didn't fizzle out. I will be following.

[maxicheezestick]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Wayne28" data-cite="Wayne28" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46167" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I wish MMA diaries didn't fizzle out. I will be following.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Thank you. I hope you enjoy it.</p>

[maxicheezestick]

<p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="font-size:18px;">Fedor Rejoins Strikeforce MMA</span></strong></p><p>

<img alt="coker_fedor.jpg" data-src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XyeQSfcWZI4pJGXTpM92hkCGfSg=/0x0:999x666/1200x800/filters:focal(0x0:999x666)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/imported_assets/771148/coker_fedor.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

<span style="font-size:14px;">Today, Strikeforce MMA announced the re-acquisition of MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko. During his first stint with the company, Fedor went 1-3 but has since rebounded with two wins over Satoshi Ishii and Jeff Monson. Fedor's signing was announced along with a slew of other signings for Strikeforce consisting of various MMA veterans and prospects. There was no announcement on when Fedor is set to return to the Strikeforce cage but it is rumored to be in early 2013.</span></p>

[maxicheezestick]

<p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="font-size:18px;">Strikeforce MMA: Rockhold vs. Kennedy Results</span></strong></p><p>

<img alt="220px-Strikeforce-Rockhold-vs-Kennedy-poster.jpg" data-src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a5/Strikeforce-Rockhold-vs-Kennedy-poster.jpg/220px-Strikeforce-Rockhold-vs-Kennedy-poster.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Prelim Results</strong></p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Caros Fodor</strong> def. Maka Watson by Submission in Round 1</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Joe Ray</strong> def. Felipe Portela by Unanimous Decision</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Julia Budd</strong> def. Shana Olsen by TKO in Round 2</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Lionel Lanham</strong> def. Joe Cason by Knock Out in Round 1</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Rey Sefo</strong> def. Rhadi Ferguson by TKO in Round 1</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Main Card Results</strong></p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Lorenz Larkin</strong> def. Robbie Lawler by Split Decision</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Keith Jardine</strong> def. Roger Gracie by Knock Out in Round 1</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Strikeforce Welterweight Championship</strong></p><p>

<strong>Nate Marquardt</strong> def. Tyron Woodley by TKO in Round 1</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Strikeforce Middleweight Championship</strong></p><p>

<strong>Luke Rockhold</strong> def. Tim Kennedy by TKO in Round 4</p></div><p></p><p></p>

[maxicheezestick]

<p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="font-size:18px;">Rematch between Cyborg and Yamanaka set for January</span></strong></p><p>

<img alt="1358578611.jpg?quality=60&strip=all" data-src="https://postmediacanadadotcom.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/1358578611.jpg?quality=60&strip=all" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p>

<span style="font-size:14px;">Today, Strikeforce MMA announced their first event for 2013 and it is a good one. The main event will be the highly anticipated rematch between Cris Cyborg and Hiroko Yamanaka after the result of their first contest was overturned due to Cyborg failing her post-fight drug test.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14px;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size:14px;">

Strikeforce also announced that Gina Carano will make her return to MMA in the co-main event against Lauren Taylor. This will be Carano's first fight since her loss to Cyborg back in 2009.</span></p>

[LeotheLion]

Loving this already.

[maxicheezestick]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="LeotheLion" data-cite="LeotheLion" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46167" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Loving this already.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Thank you. I appreciate it.</p>

[maxicheezestick]

<p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="font-size:24px;">Keith Jardine fails post-fight drug test</span></strong></p><p>

<img alt="008_Keith_Jardine_and_Roger_Gracie.jpg" data-src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/g4rax4zd6KTBxUPBkBIqPaLvHpk=/0x0:1000x667/1200x800/filters:focal(0x0:1000x667)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/assets/1237748/008_Keith_Jardine_and_Roger_Gracie.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p>

<span style="font-size:18px;">Keith Jardine has failed his post-fight drug test for recreational drugs. As a result of the failure, Jardine's win over Roger Gracie has been ruled a No Contest. Jardine rejects his failure and claims to be 110% clean.</span></p>

[maxicheezestick]

<p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="font-size:24px;">Mirko Cro Cop signs with Strikeforce</span></strong></p><p>

<img alt="mirko-filipovic-ufc-fight-night-641.jpg?w=640" data-src="https://usatmmajunkie.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/mirko-filipovic-ufc-fight-night-641.jpg?w=640" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p>

<span style="font-size:18px;">Today, Strikeforce formally announced that they have signed MMA legend Mirko Cro Cop. Cro Cop retired last year after his third straight loss. With Strikeforce recently signing Cro Cop’s long-time rival Fedor Emelianenko last month, speculation has run rampant as to whether or not we will the the long-awaited rematch between these two MMA giants.</span></p>

[Tag01]

Liking this a bunch. I loved that era Strikeforce.

[maxicheezestick]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Tag01" data-cite="Tag01" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46167" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Liking this a bunch. I loved that era Strikeforce.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Thank you. I appreciate that. I had just started watching MMA around the time that Strikeforce was closed so I didn’t know much about it then but after going back and watching shows and reading interviews about how the company came together and what their plans for were if they had not closed, I realized how much potential Strikeforce still had and I wanted to see if I could take their plans and turn Strikeforce into a major company again.</p>

[Wayne28]

I like the Cro Cop signing. Interesting to see where this goes.

[maxicheezestick]

<p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="font-size:18px;">Upcoming: Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman</span></strong></p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Strikeforce Womens Bantamweight Championship</strong></p><p>

Ronda Rousey vs. Sarah Kaufman</p><p> </p><p>

Jacare Souza vs. Derek Brunson</p><p> </p><p>

Tarec Saffiedine vs. Roger Bowling</p><p> </p><p>

Anthony Smith vs. Lumbumba Sayers</p><p> </p><p>

Ovince St. Preux vs. Keith Berry</p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

*Please feel free to post any predictions that you have for the card. The results will be posted soon.</p>

[maxicheezestick]

<p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="font-size:24px;">Strikeforce MMA: Rousey vs. Kaufman Results</span></strong></p><p>

<img alt="220px-Strikeforce-Rousey-vs-Kaufman-Poster.jpg" data-src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/6c/Strikeforce-Rousey-vs-Kaufman-Poster.jpg/220px-Strikeforce-Rousey-vs-Kaufman-Poster.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Prelim Results</strong></p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Scott Smith</strong> def. Todd Moore by KO in Round 1</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>KJ Noons</strong> def. James Terry by Unanimous Decision</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Mike Bronzoulis</strong> def. Erik Apple by TKO in Round 1</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Nate Moore</strong> def. Adlan Amagov by TKO in Round 1</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Trevor Smith and Nick Rossborough</strong> fought to a Split Draw</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Main Card Results</strong></p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Ovince St. Preux</strong> def. Keith Barry by TKO in Round 2</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Lumumba Sayers</strong> def. Anthony Smith by TKO in Round 1</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Tarec Saffiedine and Roger Bowing</strong> fought to a Split Draw</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Derek Brunson</strong> def. Jacare Souza by Split Decision</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Strikeforce Women's Bantamweight Championship</strong></p><p><strong>

Ronda Rousey</strong> def. Sarah Kaufman by Unanimous Decision</p></div><p></p><p></p>

[maxicheezestick]

Strikeforce Announces Debut Event in Japan; Rematch between Fedor and Cro Cop to Main Event

 

 

Today, Strikeforce MMA announced their plans to debut in Japan in March of 2013. The promotion also announced that the main event would be the long anticipated rematch between Fedor Emelianenko and Mirko Cro Cop. The two first fought at Pride Final Conflict 2005 in a contest that was later named the "Fight of the Decade" with Fedor emerging as the victor via decision. The promotion also announced that the show will take place under Pride FC style rules and all matches will be fought inside a ring. Strikeforce also announced fights between Murilo Rua vs. Jason Miller and Gesias Cavalcante vs. Antonio McKee for this debut card.

[maxicheezestick]

KJ Noons Fails Drug Test

 

 

Following his decision victory over James Terry at Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman, KJ Noons looked like he might soon be a title contender but that no longer seems likely as Noons has failed his post-fight drug test and his win has been overturned into a no contest. Noons failed for recreational drugs and has come forward to admit that he made a mistake and will try to grow from this experience.

[maxicheezestick]

<p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="font-size:24px;">Upcoming: Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Healy</span></strong></p><p> </p><p>

Strikeforce Lightweight Championship</p><p>

Gilbert Melendez vs. Pat Healy</p><p> </p><p>

Lightweight Grand Prix First Round</p><p>

Josh Thomson vs. Mitsuhiro Ishida</p><p> </p><p>

Lightweight Grand Prix First Round</p><p>

Jorge Masvidal vs. Yancy Medeiros</p><p> </p><p>

Jordan Mein vs. Cyborg Santos</p><p> </p><p>

Yoel Romero vs. Ron Humphrey</p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

*feel free to post your predictions, the results will be posted soon.</p>