One week from today Strikeforce will hold their final event before the company joins the ranks of the WEC and Pride FC. The Strikeforce fighters will either be absorbed into the UFC or they will be looking for work elsewhere. Though the promotion has been on a downwards spiral for sometime now, the once considered #2 MMA promotion in the US still has some top tier talent.
The 2012 year ended with a barrage of event in December, including UFC 155 that would reshape to the top of the heavyweight MMA rankings. Junior Dos Santos defended his title in a rematch against Cain Velasquez in the night’s main event with the challenger avenging his only loss and recapturing the title.
The first month of 2013 starts out pretty slow in regards to MMA. Fans don’t get a major event until the second Saturday of the month when Strikeforce bids farewell with one final event on January 12th. It’s not until the third week when things really begin to pick up as Bellator’s eight season kicks off on Spike, The Ultimate fighter 17 begin and back to back Saturdays of UFC action.
Well yet another year has come and gone, 2012 was an odd year for MMA but the year will not easily be forgotten. This year saw the UFC all over network TV, Bellator stumble its way into next year and smaller promotions like RFA, LFC and XFC make a name for themselves. Unfortunately it also saw Strikeforce take a nosedive and the UFC cancel an event for the first time.
After eight Strikeforce bouts and a 3-5 record, knockout artist Robbie Lawler (19-9, 1 NC) is heading back to the UFC in 2013. It will be the “ruthless” ones second stint inside the Octagon, having fought seven times between 2002 and 2004 to a 4-3 record. His time under the Strikeforce banner had its ups and downs but Robbie Lawler always brought the fight to his opponent.
Mixed Martial Artist Ronda Rousey has had a pretty good year. She won the Strikeforce bantamweight championship in March, successfully defended it in August and then became the first female champion in the UFC earlier this month. As if things couldn’t get better for the undefeated Judoka, she’s been voted as one of the world’s most desirable woman.
Things have been slow the last few months with regards to change amongst the MMA rankings. Injuries to champions and top fighters along with dominate champions have limited the movement but things are beginning to pick up. In November the UFC saw one of its champions return to action after a long layoff due to injury and the final month of the year will see many highly ranked fighters step into the cage.
The rumored to be last Strikeforce event once titled Strikeforce: Champions has seen its fight card rearranged and renamed to Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine. What was originally suppose to have three title fights now only has one and with a month and a half remaining until the January 12th fight day, you might want to keep your fingers crossed.
UFC on FOX 9 Weigh in Photo Gallery
Photo gallery from the UFC on FOX 9 weigh-ins featuring the UFC flyweight championship bout between Demetrious Johnson and Joseph Benavidez. Also on the card are local favorites Urijah Faber, Chad Mendes, Danny Castillo and Roger Bowling.
Bellator 100 Weigh-in Pictures
Last night the fighters for tonight’s Bellator 100 stepped onto the scales with all 24 fighters making weight. The historic 100th event for Bellator takes places tonight from the Grand Canyon University Arena in Phoenix, Arizona and features an all welterweight main card on Spike TV.
UFC on FOX 7: Henderson vs. Melendez Weigh-in Pictures
Due to a previously scheduled Arena Football game at the HP Pavilion, today’s UFC on FOX 7 weigh-ins were held less than a mile away at the California Theater. The small theater was completely filled with cheering fans and all the fighters they came to see made weight.
The Ultimate Fighter 16 Finale Weigh-in Pictures
Amidst everything else going on, the UFC has themselves a busy day today with the UFC on FX 6 taking place in Australia and The Ultimate Fighter 16 finale weigh-ins. All 24 fighters made weight today for tomorrow’s event that will crown The Ultimate Fighter 16 welterweight winner.
UFC on FUEL TV 4 Weigh-in Results and Photos
SAN JOSE, Cal. – Still recovering from Saturday’s UFC 148, MMAValor.com was inside the HP Pavilion for today’s UFC on FUEL TV 4 weigh-ins. A few of the fighters would need to step onto the scale behind a towel but all 22 fighters on the UFC on FUEL TV 4 fight card made weight.
