UFC Vs Strikeforce: An All Out War

Stikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg was the brainchild of the San Jose-based Strikeforce promotion. The MMA world is one in which promoters burn through millions of dollars without rhyme or reason in a hopeless attempt to compete with the industry-leading Ultimate Fighting Championship. But Strikeforce is the little promotion that could, carving out success where others have failed through simple promotional awareness.

Earlier this year, Showtime and Strikeforce signed a multi-year deal that included live broadcasts of matches and a series highlighting the sports up-and-coming fighters.

Under the agreement, Showtime Sports will produce and televise up to 16 live Strikeforce-promoted MMA events a year.

So, in a life-span of less than 12 months, how powerful has this partnership been thus far?

The Carano-Cyborg card was the highest-rated MMA program on Showtime networks.

And you can see it again on Showtime 2 at 10 p.m. ET/PT Wednesday and on-demand through Sept. 14.

However, Strikeforce hasn't got out of the muddy waters just yet, in terms of staying clear of the UFC.

Although Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker has repeatedly stated that he does not want to go head-to-head against the UFC, Dana White has declared all out war on Strikeforce, since his organization failed to sign Fedor earlier this month.

Just how effective can Dana White's wars be?—When Dana White has his mind set on destroying a rival, he does so in brutal fashion. Take a look at his past rivals Affliction and Elite XC if you need any examples.

Mr. White's first strategy in vanquishing his newest foe, whom he self proclaimed "Strikefarce" was to air a replay of UFC 100 on Spike TV at the same exact time that the Carano-Cyborg event was to take place.

The results were clear: UFC 100 replay drew 513,000 viewers. The Strikeforce card that went "head-to-head" against the UFC replay?  181,000.

The really sad thing about the whole ordeal?—This was supposed to be a really stacked card on Strikeforce's part. Not all of their events will be even half as exciting.

If Scott Coker wishes to win the war that he refuses to accept is happening, then he must continues to find succes in innovation.

Striking major deals, such as the ones he has made recently with Dream and Showtime, is a great way to start.

But, why stop there?

He already has two of the top WMMA prospects that the world has to offer ; Gina Carano and Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos. So why not become the #1 WMMA promoter in the world, along with being a top competitor for men as well?

Scott Coker spoke with some members of the media following a recent press conference and had some interesting notes about the future of the promotion.

The one that catches my eye the most, was that he plans to hold 135- and 145-pound women's tournament's in the coming year. They would start with eight fighters in each weight division and hold the semifinals and final on the same night.

This sounds a lot like the early days of the UFC, before Zuffa came along.

Given the fact that the womens talent pool is very low right now, this may be a great move for Strikeforce. Eventually more women will begin to participate and the sport will evolve much like the UFC did in their early days.

But for now, an eight women tournament would do just fine.

Prominent fighters include: Gina Carano, Cyborg, boxer-turned WMMA sensation Erin Toughill, Lisa Marie Varon (also known as Ex-WWE Diva Victoria) , and up-and-comer Marloes Coenen.

In my opinion, the only way that Strikeforce can remain Dana White's biggest pain in the ass, is to monopolize WMMA in much the same way that the UFC has in mens' MMA.

And so far, they're of to a great start.