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Didn't see this coming - especially in the "middle" of the Grand Prix. I suppose this means Fedor now has 3 fights left on his UFC contract, and we will get to see Overeem vs. the UFCs best. Probably not great news for Dan Henderson and Josh Barnett. Hope the June 18th card is still here. I wonder if Diaz v GSP replaces the Spider fight...
http://sports.espn.go.com/extra/mma/...ory?id=6209923
Zuffa LLC, owner and operator of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, has agreed in principle to purchase Strikeforce, essentially its lone remaining competitor in the mixed martial arts market, multiple sources with knowledge of the deal confirmed to ESPN.com.
UFC president Dana White told MMAFighting.com that Zuffa had purchased Strikeforce.
An announcement could come as soon as Monday.
Negotiations have been months in the making between representatives for Zuffa and Silicon Valley Sports & Entertainment, which also runs the NHL's San Jose Sharks, various parties familiar with the deal said.
Silicon Valley in 2008 had agreed to a partnership with Strikeforce's parent company, West Coast Entertainment, a San Jose-based promotion created by Scott Coker in 1985.
It's unclear the extent to which Coker, the current Strikeforce CEO, played in the negotiations. Coker did not respond ESPN.com's requests for comment.
Ken Hershman, executive vice president and general manager of Showtime Sports, which has a long-term broadcasting deal with Strikeforce, declined through a representative to comment.
http://sports.espn.go.com/extra/mma/...ory?id=6209923
Zuffa LLC, owner and operator of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, has agreed in principle to purchase Strikeforce, essentially its lone remaining competitor in the mixed martial arts market, multiple sources with knowledge of the deal confirmed to ESPN.com.
UFC president Dana White told MMAFighting.com that Zuffa had purchased Strikeforce.
An announcement could come as soon as Monday.
Negotiations have been months in the making between representatives for Zuffa and Silicon Valley Sports & Entertainment, which also runs the NHL's San Jose Sharks, various parties familiar with the deal said.
Silicon Valley in 2008 had agreed to a partnership with Strikeforce's parent company, West Coast Entertainment, a San Jose-based promotion created by Scott Coker in 1985.
It's unclear the extent to which Coker, the current Strikeforce CEO, played in the negotiations. Coker did not respond ESPN.com's requests for comment.
Ken Hershman, executive vice president and general manager of Showtime Sports, which has a long-term broadcasting deal with Strikeforce, declined through a representative to comment.
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