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Minowaman is about to invade America
Jason Nawara
Jan 18 |20:36
Last Updated on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:03
Minowaman. A simple utterance of this name, Ikuhisa Minowa's superhero alter ego, sends jolts of powerful energy through the collective bodies of Japanese fight fans the world over. You know who you are. You've stayed up many a night and early morning to see the first and only Super Hulk champion battle men of all shapes and sizes. Together we've thrown our fists into the air with the Minowaman, be it in the joy of victory or the woe of defeat. As one we've donned the red Speedo awkwardly, over our usual everyday clothes, like jeans. The red Speedo looks the worst when you wear it over jeans. Minowaman embodies everything that is good and pure in the MMA world, he is the Alpha and Omega, he is Minowa.
Now finally, and for the first time, he will step confidently onto American soil. We were able to communicate over the phone with him in all of his mulleted, heelhooking glory to discuss his fight against Kendall Grove in Pro Elite this weekend.
http://middleeasy.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6952:a-minowaman-is-about-to-invade-america-so-we-interviewed-him&catid=34:organizations
Triple digit ticket sales worrisome for Strikeforce
Submitted by fightlinker on January 18, 2012 - 6:54pm
Here's a shocker: Strikeforce's recent Rockhold vs Jardine offering didn't exactly set the box office on fire.
If you tuned in earlier this month to watch Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine and wondered why the crowd appeared to be underwhelming at best it turns out you had a good reason to feel that way.
According to official numbers released by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, the promotion only sold 927 tickets for the event while giving away 1,065 and having another 727 left collecting dust. Also concerning, the total gate for the show was $68,805 while more than $400,000 was paid out to main card winners at the event (not to mention the money earned by preliminary competitors and losing fighters).
Interestingly enough, I have discovered a trend - and no, it is not "Strikeforce events suck and will never make money." It's that Vegas is a cold fish for smaller events like this and it's been this way since the economy tanked. Even TUF finales held there fared poorly at the ticket booth - 1100 paid for TUF 14, 1500 for TUF 13, 1200 for TUF 12, and 1300 for TUF 10 (which featured Kimbo). When you compare Strikeforce to these, the 927 number doesn't seem so terrible. It's sucky, but it's sucky like you'd expect from these Vegas shows.
That doesn't mean Zuffa shouldn't worry about their Showtime placeholder promotion becoming a money pit. The Barnett vs Kharitonov event at the US Bank Arena in Cincinnati bombed ... fans at the event estimated less than 1500 people were in attendance. Who knows how many actually paid for that one. Strikeforce certainly paid - fighter salaries were $942,000. You don't have to be an autistic Rainman type person to figure out those numbers don't add up well.
Keep your eyes on how the Rousey v Tate fight in March does. Yeah, the one that's no longer headlined by the finals of the heavyweight grand prix. That should tell us more about whether this is a Vegas problem or a Strikeforce problem.
http://www.fightlinker.com/triple-digit-ticket-sales-worrisome-for-strikeforce
Sara McMann says Ronda Rousey turned down a fight with her
Posted by Adam Martin under Podcasts on Jan 19, 2012
Today’s “The MMA Show with Mauro Ranallo” podcast featured an interview with Sara McMann, the world’s No. 9 ranked women’s bantamweight and the first American woman to win a silver medal in women’s wrestling at the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. McMann, who fights Hitomi Akano this Saturday night at Pro Elite 3, says had a bout on the table against Ronda Rousey, but Rousey wouldn’t take the fight.
“She had an opportunity to fight me at a 140-pound catch-weight — and I don’t even like fighting at catch-weights, I’d rather fight at my own weight class – and she turned it down. I don’t like people saying ‘I’m the best at this and I’m better than everyone else’ and then cherry pick their opponents. Those things don’t go hand-and-hand with me.”
- Sarah McMann to Mauro Ranallo on The MMA Show
http://blogs.thescore.com/mma/2012/01/19/sara-mcmann-says-ronda-rousey-turned-down-a-fight-with-her/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SpinalTapOut+%28Spinal+Tap+Out%29
USAToday - Minowa brings cape, flair to ProElite against Grove
By Sergio Non, USA TODAY
9:19 PM
Japanese fighting icon Ikuhisa Minowa has proven he can play the role of superhero in bouts with oversized foes. Now he has to show he can still win conventional ones against men his own size.
"I think that America is the entertainment capital of the world," says Minowa, slated to make his U.S. debut this weekend. "Being a fighter, as well as entertainer, I would like to test my skill here."
He'll get that chance this weekend at ProElite's show Saturday (10 p.m. ET, HDNet) in Honolulu, where he will face Hawaiian middleweight Kendall Grove, a veteran of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. From a purely competitive standpoint, a victory for Minowa would be one of the most meaningful wins in a career that spans more than 15 years.
Dream
The 52 victories of Minowa say little about his actual skill level because he specializes in carnival-style fights pitting him against massive but oafish brutes in match-ups reminiscent of professional wrestling, the foundation of mixed martial arts in Japan. But while most Japanese pro wrestlers in actual fights added techniques from styles such as Muay Thai and jiu-jitsu, Minowa remains true to Japanese MMA's roots and employing flashy moves such as dropkicks and forward somersaults.
He also gives a nod to his childhood inspiration for fighting, the Japanese cartoon character Kinnikuman — which roughly translates to "Muscleman" — by strutting to the ring wearing a cape that complements his red trunks.
"I don't mind a little bit of circus," says T.J. Thompson, director of MMA operations for ProElite, which was resurrected last year under new owners after a hiatus of almost three years. "I liked Bill Veeck. I liked P.T. Barnum. I like people that are thinking out of the box. I think we're going to have to do that to keep our fans entertained."
Minowa obliged by staging an impromptu pro-wrestling match with his training partner during open workouts held this week at a Hawaii hotel. The session wound up with both men in the swimming pool.
"They started grappling a little bit and then it turned into this thing," Thompson says. "They literally went all throughout the grounds of the Sheraton in Waikiki. I think the tourists were a mix of entertained and horrified at the same time."
A signature moment for Minowa came during the Dream promotion's eight-man, open-weight Super Hulk Grand Prix in 2009, when he used his trademark leglocks to submit 335-pound ex-football lineman Bob Sapp and 7-foot-tall kickboxer Hong Man Choi before knocking out light-heavyweight brawler Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou. But against men with a high degree of skill, Minowa has come up short frequently. A list of the men who inflicted his 32 losses reads like a who's who of MMA.
Grove has as much talent as any of Minowa's previous opponents. An excellent grappler who won Season 3 of The Ultimate Fighter reality show in 2006, Grove racked up seven wins in UFC before the organization released him last year.
"What's exciting about for me is that Kendall Grove and Ikuhisa Minowa are both world-class fighters, yet it's fun at the same time," Thompson says. "I don't want to put on a circus match of two untrained guys. I think you're still talking about a compelling fight."
Beating someone with Grove's credentials would show Minowa can hold his own against someone with ability. Yet the Japanese star can't help but be drawn to the freakshow fights.
"I'd like to fight a competitive fight to change the perception," Minowa says. "But at the same time … if there is an open-weight tournament, a sanctioned one, I'm probably going to be in it, as well."
Top-10 women
Eventually, ProElite hopes to lead cards with talent built within rather than importing fighters who made their names in organizations. An early step toward that goal will take place in Saturday's co-main event between Hitomi Akano and Sara McMann, Nos. 5 and 9 in the Unified Women's Rankings at 135 pounds.
While Akano has fought in Strikeforce, Pancrase and other oragnizations, ProElite picked up McMann early in her MMA career. A silver medalist in wrestling at the 2004 Olympics, McMann will be a fixture for ProElite if Thompson can work out a long-term deal with her.
"For us to be successful at ProElite, we're going to have to grow our own talent," Thompson says. "The days of bringing an old UFC fighter to carry your company forever, I think, are gone."
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/mma/post/2012-01-19/minowa-brings-cape-flair-to-proelite-against-grove/608070/1
Thanks Jack ! And yes I agree Entirely, I think this is HUGE!!!
Aside from the numbers with an immediate addition to the size and depth of the Talent Pool on both sides, it will offer huge immediate penetration and market exposure with a known face into a very tough but willing market space. This allowing ProElite to promote the Brand and it's Fighters as well to the largest international buying MMA public in the world!
Then add in the huge interest and intrigue to the North American Events with the addition of these Fighters much less combined experience of both organizations and what that will bring to the Events and the Promotion of Events! In my opinion this going to be big! Really Big! I too would not be surprised by a Merger as well and we must all keep in mind this Planning appears to have been in the works from the very earliest days of ProElite 2.0 with it's first Event with the inclusion of Legendary Pride/Dream Referee Yuji Shimada. What other planning is under way? My guess is alot more than we can know and maybe even hell of alot more than we can even imagine! IMO.
Go ProElite!
This is actually very big News as Viewership if I recall previously for HDNet was in around 20 Million Subscribers and with this will it "Expand" Viewership greatly to about "35 million by the Summer" and offered as part of the New "AXS TV (HDNet) America’s Top 120 programming package and On Demand capabilities".
As Viewership goes up so does the buying public for more Programming, Merchandising and this along with big money of Advertizing and Sponsorship Dollars, Big Dollars!
Go ProElite!
Agree entirely! The Second Tier( Rate ) Promotion is a "Dead Man walking" and everybody knows it and the public is not buying it! IMO. It really says something when they gave away alot more tickets than they sold and there were still a total of 727 seats unfilled.
You also have to wonder where that leaves ShowTime and what the are thinking at this point.
Go ProElite
Strikeforce gate totals $68,805 with 927 tickets sold for 'Rockhold vs Jardine' on Jan. 7 in Las Vegas
by Jesse Holland on Jan 18, 2012 2:00 PM EST in Strikeforce Results
Strikeforce recorded a live gate of just $68,805 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Jan. 7, 2012, according to official figures released today from the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC).
The final attendance of 1,992 was a result of 927 tickets sold and 1,065 "comps." A total of 727 seats at "The Joint" remained unfilled.
More tickets were given away than actually purchased, which means that if you bought a ticket for the Showtime-televised event, there's a pretty good chance the guy next to you didn't.
"Rockhold vs. Jardine" featured Strikeforce middleweight champion Luke Rockhold defending his 185-pound title by beating the brakes off UFC veteran Keith Jardine.
A genetically engineered Muhammad Lawal blew the doors off Lorenz Larkin while Robbie Lawler landed a "Ruthless" flying knee to paste ProFC import Adlan Amagov.
Good times.
http://www.mmamania.com/2012/1/18/2716469/strikeforce-gate-attendance-figures-rockhold-jardine-mma
Lots of great attention on the News of the Partnership!
http://www.mmafighting.com/2012/01/17/proelite-to-partner-with-dream
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/17/idUS206063+17-Jan-2012+BW20120117
http://www.mmamania.com/2012/1/18/2715790/proelite-dream-co-promotion-partnership-ufc
http://mmaweekly.com/proelite-and-dream-form-mma-partnership
http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2012/01/18/dream-and-proelite-announce-new-partnership/
http://www.thefightnerd.com/proelite-and-dream-form-international-partnership/
http://bjpenn.com/mmanews/2012/01/18/mma-news-proelite-and-dream-ink-fighter-exchange-partnership-11883.html
http://www.boxinginsider.com/mma/proelite-mma-and-dream-japan-promote-fighter-exchange-mma-partnership/
http://vigilantemma.com/2012/01/18/proelite-joins-forces-with-dream/
http://bonesnapper.com/2012/01/proelite-dream-form-mma-partnership
http://www.mmabay.co.uk/2012/01/17/proelite-announce-partnership-agreement-with-dream-including-fighter-exchanges/
http://fightlive.net/proelite-and-dream-form-mma-partnership/
http://www.canada.com/story_print.html?id=6009753&sponsor=
http://cagejunkies.com/2012/01/proelite-announces-official-partnership-with-dream/
http://ringsidereport.net/2012/01/proelite-and-dream-form-new-partnership/
http://nightmareofbattle.com/2012/01/18/partnership-dream-x-proelite/
http://www.cagereligion.com/2012/01/proelite-and-dream-announce-partnership.html
http://www.mmahawaii.com/forum/2-hawaii-mma-discussions/42818-pro-elite-partners-with-dream.html
http://www.mmalinker.com/newsfeed/view/3135/ProElite_to_Partner_With_DREAM
http://www.cagedinsider.com/mma-news/pro-elite-and-dream-announce-partnership/
http://keywordmaps.com/nevertap/proelite-to-partner-with-dream/
http://www.thestreet.com/story/11378616/1/proelite-and-dream-form-new-mma-partnership.html
http://topics.dallasnews.com/article/0e0U3e95UoelS?q=Japan
http://www.fightbulletin.net/2012/01/18/proelite-dream-form-mma-partnership/
http://www.mmafeed.com/stories/view/28168
http://finance.sympatico.ca/news/proelite_and_dream_form_new_mma_partnership/b4cbc6a7
http://www.mmasky.com/2012/01/17/proelite-to-partner-with-dream/
http://mma-paradise.com/?p=19672
http://vendettafighter.com/news/proelite-and-dream-form-partnership/
Go ProElite
"How does a fresh-faced fight promotion like ProElite go about gaining exposure, you ask? Why, by partnering with the largest mixed martial arts organization in Japan, of course."
ProElite Partners With DREAM
http://mma.sbnation.com/2012/1/18/2714613/proelite-partners-with-dream-toquinho-grapples-two-men-at-once-on-the
I Agree! I think it is already pretty big! Just think of what this means for distribution, sponsorships, vendor partnerships and an immediately accessible market penetration in a large international market space much less access to Top Level International MMA Talent for huge and exciting Fights.
I do think there is strong case to made for your potential scenario and agree with the potential concern but also agree in would be important for Pro/Stratus to retain control and primary direction of the company.
I do think there is also alot more at hand and in any case the company continues to make big strides with more to come. IMO.
Go ProElite!
T. Jay Thompson: ProElite will partner with Dream (fighter exchange, bringing Dream to U.S. and ProElite to Japan) mmafighting.com/2012/01/17/the…
MMAFighting MMAFighting.com T. Jay Thompson: ProElite will partner with Dream (fighter exchange, bringing Dream to U.S. and ProElite to Japan) mmafighting.com/2012/01/17/the…
4 minutes ago
Twitter
T Jay Thompson Announcement "ProElite Co-Promotion with Dream"
Go ProElite!
"Dream (styled DREAM in capitals) is a mixed martial arts (MMA) organization promoted by former PRIDE FC executives and K-1 promoter Fighting and Entertainment Group. DREAM replaced FEG's previous-run mixed martial arts fight series, Hero's. The series retains many of the stylistic flourishes and personnel from Pride FC broadcasts, including fight introducer Lenne Hardt. To date they have promoted over 20 shows highlighting some of the best Japanese and international MMA talent, establishing or enhancing the careers of top ranked fighters such as Shinya Aoki, Tatsuya Kawajiri, Eddie Alvarez, Joe Warren, and Gegard Mousasi."
Very Cool and you have to wonder if he will be using the show to make the "Major announcement" he had mentioned on Twitter, I'm thinking so as well as taking advantage of any attention that Inside MMA on HDNet will put on it that evening as well as this weekends Big Event. All I can say is I will be looking forward to it!
Big things ahead. IMO.
Go ProElite!
Mistakes behind him, ProElite 3 headliner Kendall Grove ready to have fun
by Steven Marrocco on Jan 16, 2012 at 8:45 pm ET
Kendall Grove said he was a wimpy, overweight high-schooler when Ikuhisa Minowa was bounding around the ring in tight pants.
But he's grown up now, and in more ways than one. He's raising his own future high-schooler now, and he's trying in earnest to rebuild his career.
"I was trying to run a gym out here in Hawaii on top of managing a professional career in MMA, but that's just me being a [expletive] and making excuses," Grove told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio). "But now I don't have those excuses, and the sky's the limit, I guess."
Grove shut down his gym in Maui and trains out of his garage with a gaggle of students and coaches. He is almost completely self-sufficient, and a lot happier now without the distractions of running in two different directions.
Now, there's just the usual distractions of raising a 3-year old: constant feeding and a general lack of sleep.
Ikuhisa Minowa (51-32) is flying halfway around the world to meet Grove (13-9) at ProElite 3, which takes place Saturday at Blaisdell Center in Honolulu and airs on HDNet. So there's a distinct possibility he'll be a bit groggy heading into their fight.
"He has the experience, but he's never fought anywhere other than Japan, and I've fought all over this world," Grove said. "I know how it feels to fight out of my comfort zone. He doesn't. I'm not going on that, but that's part of the game."
So, too, is figuring out what the colorful veteran is going to do. Apart from a penchant for leglocks and a craziness that endears him to Japanese fans (and makes him the butt of jokes to stateside observers), Grove isn't placing any bets on what he'll encounter inside the ProElite cage.
"He's fought the who's who, he's a savage, and he'll fight anybody," Grove said. "I ain't got to worry about trying to intimidate him because I know he's not. So definitely my focus is on him right now, and we'll see how that goes."
If he's successful in Hawaii, Grove will jet to his old stomping grounds of Las Vegas, where he'll headline a Superior Cage Combat event opposite fellow UFC vet Jay Silva. It's a gamble to book a fight so soon, but at this point, he's rolling the dice.
"No, I'm just going to go straight into it," Grove said. "[Expletive] it. You only live once. If I'm healthy, I'm just going to go for it. (I'm) trying to get my career back and just have fun with it. I don't have that pressure to worry about keeping or losing my job. I'm just going to go out there and do what I love to do. I'm living my dream, and no one can take that away from me."
Pressure crushed him during his five-year stint in the UFC, and while he certainly doesn't enjoy the smaller paychecks that come with fighting in lesser-known events, "The Ultimate Fighter 3" winner welcomes the chance to reinvent himself. In his most recent appearance, he took one step toward that goal when he submitted Joe Riggs inside a minute at ProElite 2, which reversed a brutal knockout loss he suffered in their first meeting eight years ago.
Grove went all out in traveling to several Southern California gyms to prepare for the Riggs fight. Although it lasted less than a minute, he was glad to get the win after suffering back-to-back losses that prompted his exit from the UFC.
"He gave me the opportunity to choke him out, so I did that," Grove said. "But most definitely when you bust your ass for six, seven weeks, you definitely want to go out there and show everything you've learned and how you've matured as a fighter. But only a stupid man wouldn't take the victory if it's right there."
That's the attitude he's taking into the fight with Minowa. Not the slugfest-at-all-costs mindset of a young gun – more like do your job, take the money, and run. That's a man talking.
Grove made many mistakes under the spotlight, to be sure. But it's on to another fight, and another opportunity to support his family.
"No use crying over spilled milk," he said. "You've just got to clean that [expletive] up and pour another glass."
For more on ProElite 3, stay tuned to the MMA Rumors section of MMAjunkie.com.
http://mmajunkie.com/news/27001/mistakes-behind-him-proelite-3-headliner-kendall-grove-ready-to-have-fun.mma
patmiletich Pat Miletich I am happy to announce I will be calling the Proelite fights this Sat night in Hawaii with @SchiavelloVOICE on HDNet. Love calling fights
2 hours ago
https://twitter.com/#!/patmiletich
Top 10 ranked & undefeated Women's #MMA fighter Sara McMann will be sponsored by @IntimidationMMA at ProElite 3 next week.
IntimidationMMA IntimidationClothing
Top 10 ranked & undefeated Women's #MMA fighter Sara McMann will be sponsored by @IntimidationMMA at ProElite 3 next week. #WomensMMA #WMMA
10 minutes ago
https://twitter.com/IntimidationMMA
ProElite offers free tickets for dressing like Minowaman
January 12, 2012
Cagewriter reports that ProElite will offer a free ticket to any fan donning fighter Minowaman’s attire. The Japanese fighter of Pride fame usually wear’s speedo-like red trunks when he grapples.
Via T. Jay Thompson’s twitter:
Payout Perspective:
Its a creative promotion to gain publicity for one of its top attractions for the 1/21 event as well as boost attendance. There should also be some interesting photo-ops.
We all recall the UFC chastised Dennis Hallman for wearing speedos in his match against Brian Ebersole. And next week, we may have an arena full of people wearing speedos.
http://mmapayout.com/2012/01/proelite-offers-free-tickets-for-dressing-like-minowaman/
Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine Showtime Ratings and Salaries
January 10, 2012
MMA Junkie reports that the ratings for Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine earned an average of 344,000 viewers on Showtime. In addtion, Strikeforce salaries were released with Robbie Lawler topping the salary roster.
Strikeforce Saturday night earned a 0.93 household rating. It is the second-lowest rated Showtime-Strikeforce show for 2011-2012 out of 9 shows during the period. The low ratings occurred despite a free preview weekend on Showtime. It did compete with the NFL’s Saints vs. Lions game. But, its a disappointing 2012 debut for Strikeforce under the new Zuffa-Strikeforce contract.
The salary payroll totaled $566,000 with Lawler receiving $150,000 with no win bonus. Main event winner Luke Rockhold received $90,000.
Via MMA Junkie:
Luke Rockhold: $90,000 (includes $25,000 win bonus)
def. Keith Jardine: $30,000
Robbie Lawler: $150,000 (no win bonus)
def. Adlan Amagov: $10,000
Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal: $95,000 (includes $15,000 win bonus)
def. Lorenz Larkin: $17,000
Tyron Woodley: $60,000 (includes $30,000 win bonus)
def. Jordan Mein: $9,000
Tarec Saffiedine: $31,000 (includes $15,000 win bonus)
def. Tyler Stinson: $4,000
Nah-Shon Burrell: $8,000 (includes $4,000 win bonus)
def. James Terry: $9,000
Gian Villante: $20,000 (includes $10,000 win bonus)
def. Trevor Smith: $4,000
Ricky Legere: $10,000 (includes $5,000 win bonus)
def. Chris Spang: $6,000
Estevan Payan: $8,000 (includes $4,000 win bonus)
def. Alonzo Martinez: $5,000
Payout Perspective:
It will be interesting what Showtime will do to attract more viewers to its product. The ratings are disappointing considering the free preview allowed more viewers the opportunity to watch. A Tate-Rousey fight will be huge for the promotion (on many levels) in March. Unless we missed it, there were no Fight of the Night, Sub or KO of the Night bonuses. We’ll see if salaries will escalate for Strikeforce stars like Lawal and Melendez to compensate for not being able to jump to the UFC. Zuffa could offer its “locker room” bonuses to those stars as its form of compensation.
http://mmapayout.com/2012/01/strikeforce-showtime-ratings-and-salaries/
ProElite Up Coming Event
ProElite Signs Multi-Year TV Deal With HDNet
October 18, 2011
ProElite announced a new multi-fight, multi-year TV deal with HDNet last night during Inside MMA’s live broadcast debut on the network. The first ProElite televised event on HDNet will be “HDNet Fights: ProElite – Big Guns”, taking place at the iWireless Center in Moline, IL on November 5th.
“After watching their first event in Hawaii, I could see ProElite was a great fit for HDNet,” said Andrew Simon, CEO of HDNet Fights. “This upcoming card has the perfect mix of marquee names and an innovative Heavyweight tournament that fight fans won’t want to miss!”
Former UFC Heavyweight Champions Tim Sylvia and Andrei Arlovski will headline the event in separate bouts in addition to an 8-man Heavyweight tournament to identify the up-and-coming talent among MMA’s heavy hitters.
“Our multi-fight agreement with HDNet elevates the ProElite brand to a national MMA audience with a preeminent broadcast partner,” said Paul Feller, President and CEO of Stratus Media Group and Chairman of ProElite. “This strategic partnership offers new opportunities for corporate sponsors and advertisers looking to reach this passionate and rapidly growing audience of ProElite fans.”
ProElite will soon announce its full fight card, which will include some of Quad Cities favorite fighters and emerging MMA talent. Tickets are now on sale at the iWireless Center box office and on ticketmaster.com.
Payout Perspective:
It had been long speculated that ProElite was in heavy talks with HDNet to televise their second event after reviving the ProElite brand earlier this year. After all, it made complete sense considering that Head of Fight Operations T.J. Thompson has been adamant about signing a TV deal which corresponded to the current stage of the reborn MMA promotion.
If you recall, Strikeforce also signed a similar TV deal with HDNet back in 2008, just before signing their monumental TV deal with Showtime and CBS just a few months later. The deal proved to be key to Strikeforce’s growth, as it catapulted them to the #2 MMA promotion in the U.S. and maintaining that title until being purchased by UFC’s parent company – Zuffa – earlier this year.
The November 5th event will host a prospect HW GP along with Arlovski vs Fulton and Sylvia vs Kraniotakes as the main events.
Promo:
Kaleo Gambill talk’s about fighting on ProElite’s next card
Women's MMA News and Notes: McMann vs. Akano, Fujii Returns, Carano's Future
Despite a shortage of talent, the interest in women's MMA seems to be stronger than ever, thanks in large part to Cris Cyborg, Ronda Rousey and Miesha Tate. Still, there are other talented women making headlines out there, and they deserve some of our attention too.
Below is a roundup of news and notes from the world of women's MMA.
* ProElite has signed an intriguing 135-pound fight for its upcoming card on Jan. 21 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Sara McMann, the 2004 Olympic silver medalist who has compiled a 4-0 MMA record thus far, will meet top-ranked Hitomi Akano on the undercard of the event headlined Kendall Grove vs. Ikuhisa Minowa. The 31-year-old McMann defeated Raquel Pa'aluhi via third-round submission in the first ProElite show back in August. Akano, who famously lost to an overweight Cris Cyborg in an Aug. 2009 Strikeforce bout, enters the fight with an 18-8 record and riding a two-fight winning streak. She recently defeated Roxanne Modaferri via unanimous decision in July.
http://www.mmafighting.com/2011/12/22/womens-mma-news-and-notes/
Not too much really as the company is headed in a new direction and DeLuca was part of the old guard and the old direction. It is my guess the company is fully switching gears and gearing up and this might well be part of that. All good!
Go ProElite
Who is next Arlovski's opponent at ProElite 4 ?
MMA MMA @Yanedmitrii @TJMMA hi, who is next Arlovski's opponent at ProElite - 4 ? Please don't ignore. Thank u
T.Jay Thompson @TJMMA
T.Jay Thompson @TJMMA @Yanedmitrii likely fighting in march/april. No opponent named yet
6:25 PM - 20 Dec 11
Twitter
http://twitter.com/#!/Yanedmitrii
Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal Draws 460,000 Viewers
by Josh Nason on Dec 20, 2011 5:16 PM EST in Strikeforce News
So much for the momentum from the announcement that Strikeforce was going to keep on keepin' on in 2012. Last Saturday's event featuring Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez headlining and Women's Featherweight Champion Cristiane Santos in the co-main event drew 460,000 viewers, verified by industry insiders.
Of the eight non-Challengers events Strikeforce put on in 2011, Saturday's event ranked sixth in total viewership. February's event featuring Fedor Emelianenko vs. Antonio Silva led the pack with 741,000 viewers while September's show with Josh Barnett vs. Sergei Kharitonov was in the basement at 274,000 viewers.
On Saturday, Melendez took a unanimous decision win over Jorge Masvidal while Santos dispatched Hiroko Yamanaka in just 16 seconds. Strikeforce will have an opportunity to rebound on Saturday, January 7 when Middleweight Champion Luke Rockhold defends his title against Keith Jardine during a free Showtime preview weekend.
Last week, UFC President Dana White announced on a conference call that Strikeforce and Showtime have extended their partnership and will put on 6-8 events in the coming year, eliminating the Challengers series. The number has to be disappointing considering there was a strong lead-in from a major boxing match featuring Andre Ward vs. Carl Froch.
http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2011/12/20/2650382/strikeforce-ratings-Gilbert-melendez-Jorge-Masvidal-460000-viewers
11 for 11: No. 11 ProElite reemerges in 2011
December 20, 2011
In the next two weeks MMA Payout will be bringing you the top 11 MMA business stories of 2011. Sure, you will dispute our rankings but its a nice review of what’s happened over a very active 2011 in the MMA business.
11. ProElite reemerges for two events in 2011
Entertainment company Stratus Media Group acquired a 95% stake in Pro Elite in June which started the wheels toward the company’s first card in August. MMA Payout had a two part exclusive with VP of Fight Operations T. Jay Thompson. In addition to Thompson, ex-Strikeforce exec Rich Chou was an important acquisition for the company.
The debut card, Pro Elite 1, held the same day as UFC Rio on August 27th was streamed live on Sherdog. It was held in Honolulu, Hawaii. The card featured Andre Arlovlski, Reagan Penn and Kendall Grove.
In October, it announced a multi-fight, multi-year TV deal with HD Net. Pro Elite 2: Big Guns, was held on November 5th in Moline, Illinois.Its next card is scheduled for January 21, 2012 at the same location as PE1.
It will be interesting to see how ProElite does with its third event and how it will expand in 2012.
http://mmapayout.com/2011/12/11-for-11-proelite-reemerges-in-2011/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Payout+%28Payout%29
HectorLombard @proelitemma hi there guys big fan
HectorLombard Hector Lombard
by TJMMA
@proelitemma hi there guys big fan
17 Dec
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Zombie Strikeforce Press Conference Notes
Submitted by fightlinker on December 15, 2011 - 7:00pm
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It's official! Strikeforce and Showtime had a press conference this afternoon confirming the continuation of their strange relationship through 2012. Let's break down all the nitty gritty:
The deal is for 6-8 shows, which will set it on the exact same schedule the WEC used to be on. Who knows why there's two events worth of wiggle room, but whatevs.
The heavyweight division is toast. Josh Barnett and Daniel Cormier will fight to wrap up the HWGP and then whoever wins that will fight 'a top ranked heavyweight' in an attempt to make the tournament seem less pointless. After that the UFC will cherrypick the division and shut it down.
Women's 135 & 145 divisions will stay, which is really good because Cris Cyborg dying of kidney failure trying to cut to 135 would have made for some bad headlines.
Scott Coker will run the day to day operations (at least the ones that have been left to him by Zuffa)
The current broadcast team will stay the same because we love them all SO MUCH and there is no room for improvement there at all.
Undercard fights will now air on Showtime Extreme, a channel I never knew existed that I'm sure no one really gets. But hey, that's neat. Maybe Strikeforce will stop outsourcing their prelims to local promotions now.
Strikeforce Challengers is dead, and thank baby Jesus for that. The whole concept of a B-league for the B-league was always pretty stupid, and now it is no more.
Of course, that doesn't mean that Showtime is willing to admit Strikeforce is a defacto B-league. Keep that delusion strong, new ShoSports dude:
"Let's be real clear: Strikeforce is not a secondary brand," Espinoza said. "Luke Rockhold is not a secondary fighter, Cris Cyborg is not a secondary fighter, GIna [Carano] is not a secondary fighter, Gilbert [Melendez] is not a secondary fighter. This is a top-tier organization. It was a top-tier organization as a brand when Scott [Coker] was running it independently of Zuffa, and it will continue to be now that they're in partnership with Zuffa."
Dana White also chimed in on that note:
“There’s nothing wrong with being a feeder league, but that’s not what this thing’s going to be.”
Which is kinda too bad, because whatever the fuck Luke Rockhold vs Keith Jardine is, it doesn't do much for me.
http://www.fightlinker.com/zombie-strikeforce-press-conference-notes
Strikeforce Heavyweight Division to be Eliminated Following Grand Prix Finals and 'One More Fight'
Moments ago on the Strikeforce media call to announce the new Showtime deal, it was announced that Strikeforce will be doing away with the heavyweight division in the near future. The way that the set-up is sounds as though Josh Barnett and Daniel Cormier will meet in the Strikeforce Grand Prix finals and the winner will fight one more time against a (as it was put) "top heavyweight contender." After that fight, the heavyweight division will be eliminated in the promotion with fighters presumably moving to the UFC based on the promotion's desire.
UFC president Dana White said on the call that the division just is not deep enough to have it in both promotions and they will instead focus on the other classes and women's MMA.
When asked if any other division would get cut the answer was an absolute "no."
They also clarified that they would continue to operate 135 and 145 for the women, even if they do attempt to get some of the bigger name fighters together for big fights as Dana once again brought up depth issues.
We'll have much more news on Strikeforce today as details continue to emerge.
http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2011/12/15/2638783/strikeforce-heavyweight-division-to-be-eliminated-following-grand