Four fighters from Saturday’s Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Mavidal card were handed down indefinite suspensions this week from the California State Athletic Commission. The rough night of fights resulted in 10 fighters overall receiving suspensions ranging from 45 days to 180 days.
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.
At BAMMA 7, Paul Daley misses weight, had the fight moved to a catchweight and ultimately walked out the cage the winner. If the scenario sounds vaguely familiar you are not going crazy, it has happen before. Daley (28-11-2) has in fact done this on four separate occasions now and with today win has now improved to 4-0 at a catchweight.
The UFC pushed their event back to Sunday, so we (not to be outdun) pushed our podcast back to Saturday. Join Josh Wood and Dan Rose as they recap Strikeforce Challengers 18, preview UFC Live on Versus and chat about the week’s news in MMA. Also on the show is a two-minute excerpt with the exclusive interview MMAValor did with Ultimate Fighter season 7 winner Amir Sadollah as he prepares for his fight with Duane Ludwig.
Later this year, Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez will put his title on the line against Jorge Masvidal. The announcement of this fight is sensible for the organization but should also serve as the last title fight in the promotion for numerous reasons.
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.
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.
