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Strikeforce Deathwatch: Strikeforce.com Is Basically Just a Screen-Shot of a Microsoft Word Document Now
(“It looks like you’re starting an MMA promotion. May I suggest throwing all your money into a pit and lighting it on fire instead?”)
We haven’t had a good Strikeforce Deathwatch in a while, but this one might be my favorite. A month out from their Barnett vs. Cormier event on May 19th — which also features the lightweight title fight/trilogy match between Gilbert Melendez and Josh Thomson — several eagle-eyed fight fans have noticed that Strikeforce’s official website has been drastically scaled down.
Gone are all the sub-sections on Strikeforce.com, which directed readers to event calendars and fight rosters. Instead, it looks like some intern just screen-capped the latest press-release on MS Word — without running spelling-and-grammar-check first, mind you — posted it, and called it a day. The only link on the site is contained in the poster image at the top, which directs to a freakin’ GoDaddy page.
Strikeforce’s twitter account confirms that the site has actually been down for four weeks — which is like 12 years in Internet time — but promises that the full site “should” be up by next week. And that’s how fast things get done when your parent company doesn’t give a rat’s ass anymore. Meanwhile, Scott Coker is in permanent “casual Friday” mode…
http://www.cagepotato.com/strikeforce-deathwatch-strikeforce-com-is-basically-just-a-screen-shot-of-a-microsoft-word-document-now/
Great stuff! I saw that as well and it looks like things are not too far off now. I would expect we will hear something fairly soon, which is great and really never can be soon enough! Hopefully it will be all fronts as most of us are thinking with the Stock, the Company in general and the next Event and maybe even more on the Events beyond the upcoming one planned for the year.
Go PELE
MusclePharm Signs Agreement with Eurpac, Worldwide Distributor to U.S. Armed Forces
DENVER, March 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- MusclePharm Corporation, a Nevada corporation ("MusclePharm" or the "Company") (OTCBB: MSLP), an expanding U.S. nutritional supplement company, is pleased to announce that beginning April, 2012, Eurpac Service, Inc. (Eurpac), the primary distributor of consumer products to U.S. military exchanges, U.S. Navy ships and veteran's canteen services located worldwide will begin distributing the award-winning MusclePharm product line.
The agreement includes MusclePharm products: Assault, Combat Powder, Shred Matrix, MuscleGel, Re-Con, and Armor-V— to all military installations, reaching 11 million members of the U.S. armed forces, including Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marines, and special forces stationed throughout the world.
Jeremy Deluca, MusclePharm President, commented: "This agreement enables us to expand our sales base, further reaching a core MusclePharm consumer. Along with our recent UFC partnership, which is very popular among the Military, this allows us to bring our products closer to our current military consumers."
Added CEO Brad Pyatt, "We believe that sales in this market could add to quarterly results beginning the second quarter—potentially providing substantial revenue contributions in subsequent quarters as our products become fully integrated into Eurpac's sales system."
http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/prnewswire/press_releases/Colorado/2012/03/27/LA77095
My thoughts exactly! It's all good by the sounds of it and it sounds like things will be sorted out very soon!
The MOST important and best parts are still,
"We’re doing all the necessary paperwork required to comply with the SEC and to lift the temporary hold placed on ProElite.” Feller expects a resolution to the matter in a “very short time frame”."
”ProElite is currently “re-fueling” and targeting a Summer date for their next event rumored to be held in California around June."
Go ProELITE!
I think we will see things start to move very soon! I think it will be some of the bigger Projects including the Deal with The NHL and the Guardian Project along with other big announcements about a Movie or 2 in the not too distant future as well is my guess! I know we have been saying this for a while but I really believe we are closer than ever and look out when things do start moving! All IMO.
Go POW! Symbol POWN
I agree I don't think this is bad at all as there is really great information in this article "CEO Paul Feller told MMAPayout that this “does not impact the daily operations of ProElite”, as it is a “total separate matter carried over from the old Pro Elite group.” He went on to state that “We’re doing all the necessary paperwork required to comply with the SEC and to lift the temporary hold placed on ProElite.” Feller expects a resolution to the matter in a “very short time frame”."
”ProElite is currently “re-fueling” and targeting a Summer date for their next event rumored to be held in California around June."
Go ProElite!
Great News! I like everyone was a little concerned or alot for at least a moment but like also like everyone I hoping things were being dealt with and if anything this is a good sign that not only the immediate issue with Filing will get dealt with but maybe even the chill and it all may happen faster than it may have otherwise which is not bad thing at all. Let's all hope this is the calm before this Stock and company take off in big way. It does sound like many if not all of us were hoping that the ProElite team are hard at work to make it all happen!
Go Proelite!
Rampage' Jackson will fight 'Shogun' Rua then leave UFC
Dana White says 'Rampage' Jackson will fight 'Shogun' Rua then leave UFC
by MMAjunkie.com Staff on Mar 13, 2012 at 10:10 pm ET
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson (32-10 MMA, 7-4 UFC) isn't out of the UFC just yet.
One day after the disgruntled former light-heavyweight champ asked the promotion to be released, he's instead expected to serve the final fight of his UFC contract in a meeting with fellow former champ Mauricio "Shogun" Rua (20-6 MMA, 4-4 UFC).
Yahoo! Sports initially reported the UFC's offer of Rua to Jackson, and the matchup was confirmed tonight during an episode of "UFC Tonight." The bout is targeted for the summer, though a specific date has yet to be announced.
According to "UFC Tonight," Jackson will be released from the UFC after he fights Rua. The pair fought seven years ago in the now-defunct PRIDE Fighting Championships. Rua won by first-round TKO, though Jackson later said he wasn't fit to fight and expressed desire for a rematch.
But until today, Jackson's very future with the UFC seemed to hang in the balance. A series of fiery Twitter messages saw him point the finger at the fight promotion over a number of grievances, and in an interview Monday with HDNet's Bas Rutten, he said he was done fighting inside the octagon.
"I don't want to fight for the UFC no more," he told Rutten. "I think the fans don't understand. They think that just because I make a lot of money, I should be happy – because I've got a nice house. I've always stated that I fight for money because it's my career, but I think a lot of fans are sheep, and they don't understand."
In his most recent UFC appearance, Jackson lost a unanimous decision to "The Ultimate Fighter 8" winner Ryan Bader at UFC 144. He gave up 20 percent of his "show" purse when he came in five pounds overweight for the fight. Later, he said an injury prevented him from cutting weight.
But Jackson courted further controversy when he admitted to undergoing testosterone replacement therapy prior to the fight and hinting that a UFC-recommended doctor prescribed the controversial treatment. Talking to Rutten, he said he was misquoted and his personal doctor gave him the prescription.
"He's my personal doctor, but I don't have to pay him," Jackson said. "'He just sends the bill' to UFC basically is what I said."
Regardless of the supposed miscommunication, Jackson said the relationship between his doctor and the promotion fed into his anger about the circumstances surrounding the Feb. 25 fight. A feeling of disrespect replaced most of the good feelings he had for his employer.
"The thing is, the UFC knew I was injured, and they knew I still fought for them," Jackson said. "I feel like, honestly, if I didn't fight on that card in Japan, I don't think the appeal would have been as big. I'm not trying to toot my own horn or nothing like that. But they only had me and (fellow PRIDE vet) Mark Hunt (on that card)."
Jackson's anger also prompted him to take aim at the UFC's matchmaker for pairing him against fighters with a strong wrestling background such at Matt Hamill, Bader and champ Jon Jones.
"I think Joe Silva needs to be slapped in the face," he said. "I'm sorry, (but) you've got a fighter like me who likes to go out there and fight fights, so why do you keep giving me wrestlers who are going to take me down and hump me?
"I'm sorry, but I'm really tired of the UFC."
Since losing the title to Forrest Griffin at UFC 86, Jackson has gone 4-3 in the promotion with wins over Wanderlei Silva, Keith Jardine, Lyoto Machida and Hamill. His losses include Rashad Evans (in a title eliminator bout) and a two-fight skid against Jones and Bader.
Jackson took the light-heavyweight title from Chuck Liddell at UFC 71 and defended the belt once against Dan Henderson before ceding it to Griffin.
Rua most recently lost a decision to Henderson at UFC 139 in a fight considered to be among the best of 2011. The former PRIDE tournament champion took the UFC belt from Machida by knockout at UFC 113, but lost it to Jones following a long injury layoff courtesy of a oft-troubled knee.
http://mmajunkie.com/news/27828/dana-white-says-quinton-rampage-jackson-will-fight-shogun-rua-then-leave-ufc.mma
I thought exactly the same thing and I would actually give us the slight edge for the number #2 spot due to our more recent activity, our international focus and soon to be presence as well making the combined organizational interests in my opinion reasonably easily the #1 player in the field.
Go ProElite!
Interesting and Spike/Viacom is definitely doing it's best to take a bite of the UFC Business model. I like that they are making this a fight myself! I like how there are the continue underlining hits to the way the UFC does business and with their new product contrasting it - "Where Title Shots are earned not given". Go Spike, Go Viacom!
Most of all a BIG GO ProElite as I really believe this is awesome for ProElite in both the short and long term.
Rampage Jackson Unhappy With UFC, Says He's Leaving After Next Fight
by Anton Tabuena on Mar 6, 2012 8:01 AM EST in UFC News
Quinton Jackson, who is coming off a loss to Ryan Bader in Japan, is currently vacationing in Pampanga, which is one of the provinces in the Philippines. During his stay in the country, Rampage has sent out a few interesting tweets. The former UFC champion, who has been known to get emotional about things, said that after his next fight, he plans on leaving the UFC, and fighting for other promotions:
@Rampage4real
Quinton Jackson I will fight who ever they put n front of me,I always have,but it will b my last fight n the ufc,I have other things on my mind
Mar 06 via Twitter for BlackBerry® Favorite Retweet Reply
@Rampage4real
Quinton Jackson I didn't say I would b done fighting,I just said I'm not fighting 4 the UFC,(u fight cheap)I said I have other things on my mind (big head)
Mar 06 via Twitter for BlackBerry® Favorite Retweet Reply
Jackson went on to explain why he isn't happy with the UFC, tweeting "Why should I stay? I don't need them or anybody else negative dealing with my (career)... MMA, okay. UFC, not okay after".
Related: Rampage Jackson Says He Used Prescribed Testosterone Replacement Before UFC 144 | Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua Wants Rematch With Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson
Knowing how emotional Rampage can get at times, I expect that this will all just boil over once he speaks with the UFC brass and patches things up. Either way, even if he wants to push through with this a few months after, it won't be easy as there will be very limited options available for him outside of the UFC.
http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2012/3/6/2848512/quinton-rampage-jackson-leaving-ufc-mma-news
There is actually some information in fairly recent Reporting that would lend some support to the rumor. It actually makes some reference to the NYSE and other potential exchanges.
Go ProElite!
Again I agree all the way! This was purely a business play by Dana and the UFC to try to screw everybody else and everybody knows it! I think ShowTime thought just maybe but look at what the UFC did to Spike( Viacom/CBS ) and to a lesser degree Versus( NBC ).
The UFC continues to promote and push it's product for PPV and FOX while leaving CBS in ashes and NBC in the dust. While Showtime/CBS is making some moves with Strikeforce, the public and the uFC know this is a dying product.
The UFC spent 40 Million Dollars to buy it's own Purgatory where they could play GOD at their own free will. They can tie up all sorts of Fighters they don't want but also don't want them to go to the competition, while they work out what they want to pay them there, they can pay them less yet gain more by pushing their predominate brand of the UFC gaining and or control Sponsorships, they can at will "Banish" other Fighters for a variety of reasons including personal dislike, discontent with their actions and/or conduct, or for not abiding by the required subservient loyalty of the UFC and it's leader. Others can be Banished for not performing they way they want, for being complicated or for allowing age to catch up with them. With all of them thinking maybe one day they might let me in or allow me back to the real show and forcing them to beg for their graciousness to allow them in and/or some for in some cases even forgiveness to allow them back.
Name me One Fighter who is already with them who has publicly stated they are happy with and only want to stay with Strikeforce since it's purchase. Name me One Fighter with the UFC, Undercard or not who has stated they would be happy and want to go to Strikeforce or are thinking of going there even if it meant them being on the Main Card or Headlining the Event. Name One Fighter signed or unsigned with any other Promotion who has publicly stated there goal is to be with Strikeforce.
I am pretty sure it would be pretty hard to find and maybe even near impossible to find any of these cases. It is rare that a week goes by that some Fighter from Strikeforce is not talking about their only goal being they hope their next fight is good enough to get them the attention of the UFC. Just look to the weekend fights with people like KJ Noons and Josh Thompson taking about the hopes that a win would "help" "parlay" them into "UFC opportunities" and even the Women also non-stop chatter about the UFC and having Women's Fights or some day a Division there, while one already exists in Strikeforce.
I guess Purgatory isn't looking so great any more and that is also where CBS/ShowTime now find themselves as well with a second tier / second rate or is it really a third, forth or fifth rate product. I think so as do many!
The Real Battle for now is second place with Promotions such as ProElite and Bellator at the top of the heap and others like Titan, XFC, MFC, OneFC and Dream all vying for positions and the next rung on the latter.
The future is an interesting one! My Crystal Ball sees no or an even more heavily trimmed down/cut up Strikeforce - AKA - the "UFC Challengers Series". It is pretty funny though they still have have a Challenger Series to the Challenger Series. I guess it's a Purgatory to the Purgatory! I bet Fighters are really going be biting at the bit to be there! LOL!
As these other organizations including ProElite continue to gain their stride as they ramp up business! Look Out as there is indeed change in the winds and the Winners will be the people still with chairs when the music stops. I would not nor do I suspect that the UFC will allow itself to be caught without 1 chair while it searches for the 2.5 ( Don't forget the Challenger Series. lol ) it now needs. If I am CBS and/or NBC and others I also understand that and will also be looking for Partners who are looking in the near and long term to shine when and where needed. I think Pro will definitely be in the mix as well as there to capitalize when the time comes. The War of Broadcast TV is just getting started with huge interests at stake and this just to add to the excitement and plays already underway. All in my opinion.
Go ProElite!
I agree! I think both sides which include ShowTime have to wonder how long it is worth it! As well as we all know the UFC will do what's best for the UFC and Strikeforce is a second rate show and is now destined to Always BE as it sits under and it will now live and die under the UFC Banner.
Go ProElite!
Strikeforce’s Brandon Saling is a white supremacist AND a registered sex offender
Submitted by dick on March 4, 2012 - 12:34pm
When I saw the first shot of Strikeforce’s Brandon Saling last night as he was about to meander down the walkway to fight Roger Bowling, they only showed his face. Just based on that, I thought to myself, “Gee, he sure does look an awful lot like the white supremacists in those MSNBC prison shows.” I convinced myself that I was being unduly harsh because there are plenty of trailer park residents out there who can’t help the way they look and were essentially born into their white trash status. Even when they showed his huge “White Steel” tattoo, I told myself, “That’s OK, it’s just his nickname... ‘Black Steel’ would be a cool, non-racist nickname for a black fighter too! Besides, is that any worse than Brown Pride?”
But evidently, my Mr.-Rogers-like attitude was a bit naive and I really should have gone with my gut on this one. Some endeavoring Sherlocks out there with HD-DVRs (or Sherdog, or weighin photos, whatever) discovered that he has an “88” shoulder tattoo surrounded by lightning bolts. For those who aren’t well-versed in neo-Nazism (most of you, I hope), Bloody Elbow has some info on these groups’ use of 88 as a pro-Hitler symbol from Wikipedia. I won’t bore you with a sociology lesson, but suffice it to say, if you have an “88” tattoo that’s not something along the lines of “RIP grandma, 1912-1988,” you’re probably a scumbag. Dana White says he's "looking into it," but really, it seems pretty black-and-white to me.
Also, it seems that while Zuffa/Forza was busy implementing useless pre-contract drug tests, they forgot to add criminal background checks and simple google searches into the mix as well. Oops! Saling now marks another entry in the growing list of pervs in MMA: in addition to a 2008 domestic violence issue, Saling is a registered sex offender because of a 2004 case in which he allegedly raped a child under 13 years old:
Two Noble County men are facing first-degree felony rape charges following an investigation by the Noble County Sheriff's Office into the weekend disappearance of a 12-year-old girl and her 13-year-old sister. According to Noble County Sheriff Landon T. Smith, the girls parents had allowed them to go to an all-night birthday party at a friend's house in Monroe County last Friday. According to reports, the girls left the party with the suspects. Brandon C. Saling, 18, Summerfield, and James T. Allen, 18, Sarahsville were each charged with rape of a person under 13 years old, a first-degree felony.
There are multiple easily-googlable perv alerts available with his mugshot on them. Zuffa/Forza didn’t take the five minutes to look those up. But at least we’ll still know if a prospective Strikeforce fighter has been smoking pot. Therefore, the REAL miscreants will still be weeded out. So how did Strikeforce General Manager Scott Coker react to getting caught with his (thankfully figurative) pants down? And where is the athletic commission in all of this? MMAJunkie has news on what will happen next:
Coker noted that Saling is licensed as a professional fighter in Ohio and several other states. "We had no knowledge about that until someone brought it up to us this evening," Coker said of Saling's background. "It came to our attention during the course of the fights... [The Ohio Athletic Commission is] going to launch a full investigation on Monday," he said. "So that's where that's at. As far as you guys know, the policy for Strikeforce and the UFC is that kind of body art, offensive behavior, (and) offensive art is not going to be allowed. So that's something we went to the athlete (with). He responded, and we're going to investigate further and see what the truth is."
Coker declined to provide details of his conversation with the fighter and said Strikeforce would inform the media of the investigation's outcome.
OAC Executive Director Bernie Profato confirmed early Sunday that he's contacted the Ohio Attorney General's Office, which will look into the allegations on Monday. He said Saling, who recently renewed his license, will be also notified that his license could potentially be suspended and will have the opportunity to defend himself as an individual or accompanied by legal representatives at an OAC meeting in April. "We're not going to speculate until we have facts," Profato said. "He's innocent until proven guilty."
Profato said Ohio licensees are required to disclose any criminal background but was unaware of whether Saling noted any past offenses. "If it's on his application and we missed it, we apologize," he said.
Even if Saling had fought two weeks prior to last night and was brought in as a late replacement, Zuffa/Strikeforce looks pretty dumb for letting this slide by, even if they try to act cute and Sarah Palin their way out of it. And the Ohio Athletic Commission is obviously going to go back through Saling’s application forms with a fine-tooth comb in order to see if they can find any way to revoke his license for lying. But if Saling did admit his criminal background in his athletic commission application, what then?
The issue of what to do with neo-Nazi fighters has been discussed recently with respect to KSW's Niko Puhakka, who was pulled out of a title fight and basically hated out of Poland for his political leanings (sound familiar?). There are multiple schools of thought on this, and promotions can obviously not be compelled to hire any fighter who is seen as “bad for business” for any reason. But the ability to be licensed by a state to earn money at one’s chosen profession is not exactly a privilege to be granted only to people whom we like. He’s not asking to teach at an elementary school or drive an ice cream truck; he’s asking permission to get punched in the face for a living.
The prospect of Saling having his license revoked begs the question of where white supremacist, sex offending people are supposed to work. Should we force them to subsist on toxin-laden fish and live under a bridge, or should we try to reintegrate them into society, hoping that they’ll act less like sociopathic assholes in the future? Or should we bring them all to the town square and stone them to death in the name of Allah? Post your suggestions in the comments section!
http://www.fightlinker.com/strikeforce%E2%80%99s-brandon-saling-is-a-white-supremacist-and-a-registered-sex-offender
Dana White is done with Strikeforce
Submitted by fightlinker on March 5, 2012 - 8:58am
Dana White has been talking about 'fixing Strikeforce' since that terrible Rockhold vs Jardine event and recently it sounded like Showtime had finally given him the mysterious control he was demanding. But when it was finally time for the things White asked for to be incorporated into last Saturday's Tate vs Rousey event, Showtime suddenly decided they'd rather keep things the way they've always been. Now Dana's pissed:
"I almost missed the first UFC fight in 11 years, and then I get the phone call from Pete Dropick when I'm in Japan," White said. "'Yeah, listen, they're not going to change pretty much any of the stuff you wanted.' So I said, '[Expletive] them.'
"You flew out to Las Vegas and wasted my time. Go talk your boxing [expletive] to somebody else."
White declined to specifically address what changes were proposed and/or nixed beyond "a few minor tweaks that we thought would make the live show better."
However, he did make it clear he thinks Showtime is making a very poor decision.
"These guys are letting a D-level producer run their organization, and that's exactly what I told Espinoza," White said. "You want to let a D-level producer run your organization? Go for it brother. Knock yourself out. I've got [expletive] to do. I've got another job."
While Strikeforce is usually pretty solid in the fights department, the production side of things is consistently terrible. Cringe-worthy interviews and detracting commentary are two big problems that stand out the most. Add in the dozen or so other problems with the broadcast and you have a product that ends up being unpleasant to watch in spite of the enjoyable matches it's providing. Considering this nearly universal opinion, it seems pretty silly that Showtime would reject suggestions from the slightly more experienced and successful UFC on how to run events properly.
This situation goes much further than a couple of tweaks that may or may not have helped Strikeforce do something something. MMA Caesar has decided he's not going to bother with the promotion any more. Remember how long PRIDE lasted after that happened? While Zuffa will still provide the services they're contractually obligated to provide, there's a world of difference between trying to make sh*t work and doing the bare minimum. If this is more than a tiff between partners and more like the beginning of a serious rift, it could easily turn the future of Strikeforce on it's head ... and the women's divisions it contains. Which would suck.
http://www.fightlinker.com/dana-white-is-done-with-strikeforce
T.Jay Thompson ? @TJMMA Im a fan! Possible RT @JasonEllis321: @TJMMA how about we see @Italiantankatt Luigi Foravanti on a future @proelite show! RT
Twitter
E&S Entertainmentllc E&S Entertainmentllc ? @JasonEllis321
@TJMMA Let's make it happen with @italiantankatt you have my email sir . Let's talk about this becoming a reality! RT
3:23 PM - 25 Feb 12 via Twitter for iPhone · Details
Twitter
Well that interesting! There is definitely good News in this in that Tim is still a 5x UFC Champion, is still a big name and that he knows that his next Event and Showing will have to be something pretty spectacular to get and keep the attention of the public and also to have any chance to keep his name of interest within the MMA community and the buying public.
Go ProElite!
UFC Japan deal COULD re-spark JMMA..D.R.E.A.M. and ProElite could be gaining more from this than the UFC...
http://twitter.com/#!/Bolthorn79/status/171829865606160384
Jon-Michael ? @Bolthorn79
This whole UFC Japan deal COULD re-spark JMMA...D.R.E.A.M. and ProElite could be gaining more from this than the UFC...
12:33 AM - 21 Feb 12 via web ·
Twitter
Looks like Mundus Inc has lost it's DTCC eligibility and is now on Trade restrictions. It looks like they have been on the DTC Chill List since March 2011 and that they effectively have now been De-certified for Trades by the DTCC( Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation ) from all associated Brokerages.
626137202 MUNDUS GROUP, INC
http://www.dtcc.com/downloads/legal/imp_notices/2011/nscc/a7182.pdf
Many of the Stocks that this happens too go on to be De-Listed for Trading altogether from all Trading, which is not good!