This January you will have a chance to see the last Strikeforce show. While when it comes to Strikeforce fighters, they will be transferred to UFC, with Ronda Rousey being the first to make the jump.
It is official! Strike force will be running its last show this January, and this has made135lb women’s champion, Ronda Rousey (6-0-0) a history maker, becoming the first lady to ever ink a UFC contract.
The news broke on Tuesday, then two days later was confirmed by Ariel Helwani at MMAFighting.com, and now they are already making rounds on the web.
After Strikeforce was forced to cancel their second consecutive event earlier this year, everyone expected that the organization will come to an end any time near. These general expectations will become reality this January, when the last show will take place in Oklahoma City. This card features three title fights that go as follows: Gilbert Melendez vs. Pat Healy, Luke Rockhold vs. Lorenz Larkin and Nate Marquardt vs. Tarec Saffediene. It also has Daniel Cormier taking on Dion Staring.
But, no worries everyone, once the show ends all top Strikeforce stars will be transferred to UFC, with Rousey being the one to break the ice. Yes, although Ronda Rousey is not competing on the card, she will be the first star to make the jump and we are not surprised at all to hear this. It’s Rousey, who has the potential to become a major star.
The 25-year-old California native has became a Strikeforce superstar within a period of 18 months, starting from the day she made her debut at the show. Ronda Rousey has won all six contests by first round submission, drawing a tap from each of her opponents with her signature arm-bar. Even though she has just six professional bouts under her belt, Rousey appeared on the cover of ESPN the Magazine’s Body Issue. Shortly afterward she became one of the most recognizable fighters in the entire sport.
Recently has appeared a short list of potential contenders that reportedly will fight against Rousey and among others it includes former Olympic wrestler, Sara McMann, former Strikeforce 145lb champion, Cris Santos, and last but not least comes Miesha Tate, the woman she took the title from this past March.
Don’t feel sad that Strikeforce is finishing after its January show, there is no reason for that. Quite to the contrary, you need to feel happy for getting a chance to see Melendez, Cormier, Rockhold and all the rest competitors fighting against the best in the world instead of being stuck in a dead-end company.