Responses to the news that the UFC had purchased top North American competitor Strikeforce have predictably run the gamut. Some express fear, others uncertainty. Still, others are excited about the future. Here is a compendium of the initial reactions to the most important news story in MMA in nearly five years.
UFC Buys Strikeforce: Reactions From The MMA Community
ESPN’s Josh Gross says, as I suspected, this means the inevitable dissolution of the Strikeforce brand:
The UFC/Strikeforce split is all about contracts. Once they're fulfilled with Showtime, I'm told a WEC type merger is planned.
Josh Gross
JoshGrossESPN
Promotions remain separate so long as the Strikeforce contracts with Showtime are in place. That was the big hurdle. Was crossed recently.Josh Gross
JoshGrossESPN
ESPN's Jon Anik offered a nice quip to contrast the UFC's growth amid the NFL's lockout:
As the NFL lockout begins, the UFC continues on a major roll w/ the purchase of Strikeforce. MMA, folks. Get on board.
Jon Anik
Jon_Anik
Here's an unreal Tweet from the official UFC feed:
And since we don't have to hide it anymore we can tell you - Diaz vs. Daley tickets for April 9th are on sale today!
UFC
ufc
Strikeforce/Showtime commentator has no idea what is next for him:
My initial reaction to the announcement that Zuffa had purchased Strikeforce was suprise and shock. The future is going to be interesting!
mauro r
mauroranallo
Sherdog's Jordan Breen offered this long term perspective:
In the interim, Strikeforce makes Zuffa more money, but long-term the most money is always made with the UFC stamp, hence poaching/merging.
Jordan Breen
jordanbreen
And this:
The real drama of Strikeforce purchase: the live, real-time existential woe of Strikeforce fighters, especially women and ex-UFC fighters.Jordan Breen
jordanbreen
More reactions of note as we collect them.
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