The trash talking is all but over between Miesha Tate and Ronda Rousey and the two ladies will settle their squabble inside the Strikeforce cage. The women’s bantamweight title is on the line tonight, but before that happens, Sarah Kaufman and Alexis Davis will fight on the night’s preliminary card to determine the number one contender and next in line for whomever walks away with the belt.
The fighters for tonights’s Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey card stepped onto the scales last night in Columbus, Ohio. All 18 fighters made weight and will begin stepping into the cage tonight at 8pm ET / PT for the preliminary card that will be airing on Showtime Extreme. The night main card will start at 10pm ET / PT time and is headlined by the Strikeforce women’s bantamweight title bout between Miesha Tate and Ronda Rousey.
Not since Cyborg vs. Carano has a female fight generated this kind of hype, yet here we are with a major female MMA bout. There has been a tremendous war of words between many fighters on this card and some of these fights could be straight-up magical. This is also one of the best betting cards we’ve seen in a long time, so let’s be sharp and hit a few of these gems for all they’re worth.
It was first thought to be headlined by the heavyweight grand prix final between Josh Barnett and Daniel Cormier. When that didn’t work out, Strikeforce then promoted the women’s bantamweight title fight between Miesha Tate and Ronda Rousey to headliner status. Strikeforce then surrounded is second card anchored by a women’s title fight with several of the promotions top fighters.
What a year Strikeforce has had with the heavyweight grand prix, being bought by ZUFFA and most recently signing a new deal with Showtime for 2012. The promotion closed their year out with a fight card filled with lightning quick finishes, grinding decisions and two dominate champions retaining their titles.
Coming off his unanimous decision victory of Jorge Masvidal at last night’s Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal, the champion made it clear his was happy to be with Strikeforce. That confirmation came on the heels of Melendez finding out that Strikeforce had signed a new deal with Showtime thus keeping “El Nino” at home inside the hexagon of Strikeforce.
As the final Strikeforce event of the 2011 came to a close the resounding question echoing throughout the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, California was “who’s next?” The two champions on the card last night had their hand raised in victory but have now essentially cleared out their respective divisions and what’s on the horizon for them is unknown.
If you missed the news, Strikeforce has signed a new deal with Showtime and the promotion will put on up to eight shows next year. Before that new deal kicks into gear the promotion has one final event of 2011 this weekend as Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal hit San Diego, California.
