Listen To Dana White, People! Strikeforce Should Be Put Out To Pasture

No matter how you feel about Dana White, he is right about one thing: The only legitimate MMA show in town is (and should be) the UFC. 

I can already hear the Dana-haters (insert boo's and hisses here). But let's face it, folks. He's been right about everything so far.

There are two interrelated issues that Dana White has been harping on for the past several years: Networks shouldn't be given too much control over how MMA promotions are presented on the air and second-rate promotions (e.g., EliteXC, Strikeforce) shouldn't have network deals. 

After this past weekend's Strikeforce fiasco in Nashville, can anyone even legitimately question why Dana White is so adamant about ensuring that things get done right?!  

How about just pointing out a few things (which relate to the two points above) about this past weekend's show that 100 percent confirms that White and the Fertittas should be the only conductors on the MMA express?

The Strikeforce Announcers

It's friggin' amateur hour with those guys.  In my opinion, Frank Shamrock is the best of their lot.  The Johnson cage-side interviews?  Come on! 

But the best is Mauro Ranallo—how about butting in at the last second to make sure that everyone watching the show knows that he believes that what Jason Miller did was "disgusting".  Thanks, Joe Buck.  What would we do without Mauro to bring clarity to the chaos?  Pure comedy. 

Strikeforce Entrances

Fireworks and lights?  What is this, the WWE? These are serious athletes, try to have the show reflect that.

The Post-Fight Brawl

Related to the above, if your production resembles a circus, then don't be surprised when it turns out to be one.  Some people actually had the nerve to suggest that Mayhem Miller was responsible for everything (see Mauro Ranallo)! 

Are you kidding me?  The guy is a publicity whore!  He hosts his own reality show! People are surprised that he jumped into the cage to hype a rematch?  WTF? 

Then Jake Shields, the normally calm, mild-mannered Clark Kent of MMA, pushes Mayhem Miller, igniting an embarrassing brawl inside the cage.  Jake Shields seems like a nice guy and I don't doubt that he is normally a low-key guy, but if that was a Dana White show, he would have thought twice before pushing Mayhem Miller. 

And Mayhem Miller may have thought twice about jumping in the cage and requesting a rematch (hmm...not sure about this one). 

There's more (help me out with your comments), but that's all I have time for right now.  The bottom line is that the Strikeforce brawl highlights that only an organization with resources and infrastructure like that of UFC's is equipped to properly introduce MMA to major network audiences.  Until then, the other outfits should only be available to viewers via obscure cable channels.