Issue 124
January 2015
The history of mixed martial arts retold through pages of FO's archives. The Strikeforce success story was based on real fight sports experience and a quest for exciting new talent.
It’s been nearly two years since Strikeforce finally closed its doors to the viewing public. To say the California-based promotion left a hole in the sport when it ceased to exist would be an understatement.
While promotions like EliteXC, World Fighting Alliance and YAMMA all made plenty of noise, none of them were able to hang around like Strikeforce did. Scott Coker and the rest of his team mastered a formula many believed only the UFC could perfect. So what separated them from other aspiring MMA promotions?
In our January 2009 issue, Fighters Only spoke to some of the people behind the creation and stabilization of one of the sport’s most important organizations. When asked what separated them from the competition during the MMA boom of the late 2000’s, Strikeforce representative Mike Afromowitz had a simple explanation.
“Experience,” he said. “I think that’s what really separates us from other promotions. Strikeforce is relatively new, but our people have been putting on fights for a long time – all the way back to the late ‘80s with kickboxing.
“In 1994 we started working with ESPN – providing them with martial arts content – then we started putting on K-1 America shows in 1999. We jumped into MMA in 2006. We know how to put on good shows, and we realize it’s all about the fighters.”
The promotion also did things differently by nurturing a natural growth.While a promotion like Affliction entered with a bang and left with a whimper, Strikeforce steadily became a leading force within the industry.
“Strikeforce has grown at its own pace. We haven’t tried to rush things – we’ve only grown as fast as the market conditions have allowed us to.” Afromowitz added. “Our long-term goal is to make Strikeforce a household name. It’s no secret that the best way to do that is through television.”
Showtime would eventually become the promotion’s home and expose it to a huge audience. It capitalized, unlike other companies, by stacking its cards with stars it had created as well as a few well-known names from the wide world of MMA who got a new lease of life.
Ronda Rousey, Luke Rockhold and Gilbert Melendez were all homegrown Strikeforce talents, while athletes like Nick Diaz and Josh Thomson rebuilt their careers and grew into the elite competitors they are today.
Sadly for Scott Coker and MMA fans, the money ran out and Strikeforce was bought by Zuffa when it was at the height of its power. It managed to stay around for another two years but it simply wasn’t the same as it once was as stars jumped ship for the greener pastures of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Despite this, the promotion will be remembered fondly for defying the odds and becoming something fans were truly interested and invested in.
The good news is those MMA aficionados who clamored for some more of that Strikeforce-style competition to the UFC have found solace in Bellator MMA. With Coker installed as the promotion’s new CEO, many of the principals of his former combat company have prompted a resurgence for his new one. The tournaments have gone and the focus is on the fighters and creating great fights. The spirit of Strikeforce lives on.
ELSEWHERE IN THE JANUARY 2009 ISSUE
The original ‘Yes!’ chant
Back in our November ‘09 issue we made light of Diego Sanchez and his strange entrance at UFC 95 against Joe Stevenson. As the 155lb star stomped his way towards the Octagon he began to chant “Yes!” Over and over again. He psyched himself up to do battle, but 13,268 people in attendance inside the O2 Arena in London were confused and so were we.
Fast forward four years and the very same chant made famous by Sanchez has become a staple among professional wrestling fans. MMA enthusiast and former WWE champion Daniel Bryan found success with it inside the squared circle and even spread the “Yes!” phenomenon into mainstream culture. Maybe ‘The Nightmare’ was just ahead of his time.
New York, New York
If you think the UFC’s ongoing battle with the Culinary Union has been going on for what feels like a lifetime you wouldn’t be too far wrong. Every year we hear reports that the promotion is close to helping to bring MMA to the Big Apple, but something always seems to stop it from progressing.
Even in 2009 we reported how the UFC had hopes of bringing MMA to Madison Square Garden by the end of the year. Five years on and the organization is no closer to sorting out its issues with the union and making MMA in NYC a reality.
Heavyweight hopes
Long-time Fighters Only contributor Andrew Garvey has a knack for coming up with cool fantasy fights. In our January 2009 Pro Opinion section we asked him which fight he would make if he was UFC matchmaker for a day. His answer was quite prophetic.
“Brock Lesnar defending his title against Shane Carwin,” he said. “Just epic, manly, giant-fisted heavyweight wrestling and sporting violence.” Ask and you shall receive. The juggernaut duo’s clash at UFC 116 in July 2010 was one of the most memorable in heavyweight history.
NOSTRADAMMAUS
It's a wrestler's world
Modern MMA has always been a haven for amateur wrestlers who want to transition from the mat. In our January 2009 issue we highlighted the top 10 wrestlers most likely to make a name in mixed martial arts.
The list featured now-established names like UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, who was 8-0 at the time; former Bellator heavyweight champion Cole Konrad, who hadn’t even strapped on the 4oz gloves yet and Olympic 121lb gold medalist turned bantamweight prospect Henry Cejudo, who made his MMA debut in 2013.
