With Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal in limbo right now pending some form of suspension following his positive test for steroids, the Strikeforce light heavyweight division is moving on. Mike Kyle announced today via his Twitter account that he’s fighting on March 3rd against former champion Gegard Mousasi.
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.
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.
With UFC pulling talent from Strikeforce in the near future, we’re treated to possibly one of the last shows with big name fighters. The main event for this card is lightweight whirlwind Gilbert Melendez in the last defense of his title, taking on underrated fighter Jorge Masvidal. While the future of the title itself is grim, this is a fight that will land one or both men in the UFC, and you can be sure they’ll bring their best to the cage.
The last Strikeforce event of 2011 is this weekend in San Diego, California for Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal. This year has been both good and bad for Strikeforce, depending on your outlook of the promotions sale to ZUFFA back in March.
What I’ve done in my years of writing is make a yearly list of fights between “Top Ten” fighters and lesser known or much less regarded fighters. This is a bit of fun match-making to illustrate the fruitless quest for accurate Top Ten lists and to show exactly how much styles play into combat sports.
Live from the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, California Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley was an exciting event overall.
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.
TUF Live Finale Live Results and Event Pictures
The long grind of the first live version of The Ultimate Fighter ends tonight at the TUF Live Finale in Las Vegas. Featuring 12 of the 16 TUF Live contestants, the 10 bout card will be headlined by an important match-up in the welterweight division between Jake Ellenberger and Martin Kampmann.
TUF Live Finale Weigh-in Results and Pictures
All the fighters for tomorrow’s TUF Live Finale were on weight as they stepped onto the scales inside the Pearl at the Palms. The 20 fighters, including 12 of the 16 TUF Live fighters will begin entering the Octagon tomorrow starting at 2:45pm PT / 5:45pm ET.
