Strikebox Forced To Tap Out

First it was the name, and now it's the unique set of rules. Strikebox is apparently no more. Only days before the first event on Feb. 6, Strikebox was legally forced to change it's name by Strikeforce, so that the first event was held under the name "Titans Fighting."

Now, according to Sherdog.com, Réjean Theriault from the Quebec Athletic Commission (QAC), has banned anything other than "boxing, ...kicking, and...mixed martial arts". Formally called Strikebox, Titans Fighting was founded by former TKO President Stephane Patry, and his vision was to remove the ground fighting that so many of the casual fight fans were not educated enough in jiu-jitsu or wrestling to follow or appreciate.

Fighting could take an opponent down, but would not be allowed to strike an opponent should anything but the soles of their feet be touching the ground. However, Stephane Patry was unable to clear the rules with the QAC, and the fighters had to have a "gentlemen's agreement" to honor the spirit of the new promotion.

James Thompson disputes that any such gentlemen's agreement was made, despite long time MMA referee Yves Lavigne stating that he made it clear to both Thompson and Steve Bosse who were fighting each other in the main event, what had happened wiht the rules.

The Franchise would have loved to have discussed this with Thompson, but he apparently couldn't commit to our scheduled interview with him either...

What will be the future of Titans Fighting? Stephane Patry left MMA after TKO, but came back to start this new promotion, but it's clear from Réjean Theriault that he will have no choice but to abandon his plans to start a new brand of combat sport.

“If [Patry] organizes another Strikebox event, it won’t be under Strikebox rules, but it will be under MMA rules,” declared Réjean Theriault.