Showtime, Strikeforce, Rounday Rousey to UFC.

[Eduardo]

So it's being reported now that Ronda Rousey is joining the UFC by multiple sources, here's one. Also in that report is that Strikeforce is closing shop in January, after their final event in January. The good is that Gilbert Melendez will finally fight better competition, but if Nate Diaz wins the title in December, he'll never fight for the UFC lightweight title if it's against Nate. Maybe Gilbert will drop down to 145 lbs (he's fought at 145 lbs many, many years ago) to face Jose Aldo. This effectively makes Bellator the number 2 promotion, it will be interesting to see how well they do when they make their move to Spike TV in January.

 

Another interesting rumor is that Showtime still wants to have MMA programming. They got Strikeforce cheaply, but what promotion could they possible get now? WSOF had a decent first show, but it was headlined by an aging glass jawed Arlovski KOing a rapist (horrifying story there). MFC, Shark Fights, Legacy, OneFC, none of these promotions really fit for one reason or another. Also, with UFC now having women's MMA, Invicta's future may be in trouble. Showtime's doing good right now with boxing, they are having a really strong year under Espinoza. The budget they now have for boxing is higher than HBO's budget. Canelo's fight in September did great, and it was against a big Chavez Jr. vs Martinez showdown. I really feel they don't need regional MMA at this point and it would be better to just invest in boxing.

 

EDIT: Could a moderator edit the title. I misspelled Ronda Rousey's name.

Edited November 9, 2012 by Raging Noodles

[Bix]

Bold prediction:

 

Pat Healy will beat Gilbert Melendez for the title. It's a lame duck final show and there has to be an upset title change. Melendez losing fucks up potential UFC matchmaking the most.

 

Well, unless Diaz is UFC champion by then, like Raging Noodles said. Then Melendez would just be one of many guys in the giant logjam at 155 anyway.

[sek69]

Per Dave on one of the recent WO shows, the guy in charge of sports programming for Showtime is a big boxing nut so the smart money seems to be on him taking what they were spending on MMA and investing it there.

 

What would be interesting is to see what fights they could get lined up. HBO has pretty much owned boxing for the last decade or so, Showtime hasn't had a fighter of any major renown sign a deal with them since Mike Tyson in his prime.