MMA: How Strikeforce Can Remain Viable

To many, at least, it appears that Strikeforce could be headed for the same fate as World Extreme Cagefighting.

That would be a profoundly unfortunate development, should it occur.

But what can Strikeforce do to survive as a stand-alone promotion now that it is owned by UFC's parent company, Zuffa?

How about adopting a new set of weight classes, intermediate between those in standard use throughout MMA?

Many fighters simply aren't good fits for weight classes that are 15 or even 20 pounds apart.  Adding other options could allow such fighters to reach their full potential.

The most logical proposal is to establish the new weight classes at 150, 162, 177, 195 and 225, with an unlimited heavyweight division above that.

Now think of some of the specific fighters such a format figures to benefit.

An undersized current welterweight like John Howard, for example, might find 162 a perfect new home; the same goes for Rousimar Palhares at 177, Jason Brilz at 195 and Pat Barry at 225, to say nothing of Fedor Emelianenko and Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic. 

And the creation of an unlimited heavyweight class could spawn a renaissance in the career of former two-time UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia.

More alternatives for fighters cannot possibly be a bad thing.

So rather than absorbing Strikeforce into the UFC, it can be transformed into a laboratory for positive change in the sport of mixed martial arts.