Todd Duffee: UFC Buying Strikeforce Will Help MMA Gain Respect

The reaction continues to flood in following the news that Zuffa had purchased Strikeforce this past Saturday. This time, it’s former Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight fighter Todd Duffee.

Duffee was released from his UFC contract in Sept., 2010 following a loss to Mike Russow at UFC 114—the first loss of his young career. The loss alone wouldn’t have been the end of his run with the world’s largest MMA promotion but his supposed attitude problems caused UFC President Dana White to release him from his contract.

“He doesn't want to be in the UFC, he doesn't like being in the UFC,” White told Fanhouse’s Ariel Helwani in an interview.

But Duffee seems to be singing a different tune now that the company has purchased their next biggest competitor, Strikeforce.

In a thread he titled “The Positives of the buyout” on The Underground Forum, Duffee admitted that he knew about the potential buyout weeks in advance but was still caught off guard at how fast it happened.

“I thought it would happen later in the year or next year,” Duffee said. “I am aware there are a lot of possible negatives but I'd much rather hear what the positives are going to be and dwell on that.”

This change in attitude is quite opposite from what apparently got him booted from the UFC just a few months ago.

“My first thought was all the great possible match-ups we will get to see," he elaborated. “I understand they will be operating separately for some time but I hope when they say, ‘cross promotion’ they are saying mega fights will happen. Not just (that) Strikeforce will have a booth at the fan expos.”

Not only would the potential super fights between the top fighters in Strikeforce and UFC draw major headlines, but it would also do a lot to continue establishing the UFC as the “brand” that is synonymous with MMA.

Duffee added that the purchase was “Another step in gaining the same respect [as] the NBA, NHL, NFL, MLB etc.”

Many fighters have taken this stance as well because establishing mixed martial arts as a legitimate sport and not just a sideshow attraction is important to everyone involved with the business.

One somewhat eye-opening comment he made was in regards to female mixed martial arts. Dana White has gone on record as not being a fan of female MMA in the past, but Duffee believes that the purchase of Strikeforce will actually help promote the relatively new scene.

“Women's MMA will get a huge mainstream push,” he declared. “I wasn't always a fan, but the better they get, the more I like it just the same."

Duffee later added that his comments were “not to get in good graces with Zuffa” and that he is “a year and many wins away from them remembering my name or face.”

Whether or not his intentions were to draw Zuffa’s attention to his new attitude or not, someone within the company will almost assuredly see this and take notice.

At only 25 years old, Todd Duffee still has a long career ahead of him if he can keep his head on straight.