Can SF be the new WEC?

http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2012/2/27/2828056/ufc-strikeforce-wec-ben-henderson-ronda-rousey-vs-miesha-tate-ufc-144
by Fraser Coffeen on Feb 27, 2012 1:00 PM EST

Yesterday, I broke down how Ben Henderson's UFC Lightweight title win at UFC 144 was not just a victory for Henderson, but for the entire WEC. Along with Carlos Condit, Henderson proved that the former WEC champions are indeed among the sport's elite, and in my opinion, much of the credit for their successes goes to their WEC tenures. But now with WEC gone, are the UFC missing an opportunity to build future champions? They may be, but the answer to solving that problem is already in front of them.

This weekend, the now Zuffa owned Strikeforce returns with an event headlined by Miesha Tate vs. Ronda Rousey. Since the Zuffa buyout last year, there has been much discussion over how Strikeforce should be used. To me, the answer is clear, especially after UFC 144.

Strikeforce should become the new WEC.

This is already the general direction Zuffa seems to be heading, but there are a few steps they need to follow to best emulate the WEC model:

Keep the company separate. By folding the WEC, the UFC gained some valuable new names and divisions, but it also lost a development system. Let Strikeforce stay alive in that role as long as it is economically viable.
Focus on only the divisions that can deliver. It was a good choice to abandon the Heavyweight division, as the talent is just not there for a rich UFC and Strikeforce division. I also vote to do away with Welterweight, which also lacks a full talent pool. Focus instead on Light Heavyweight, Middleweight, and Lightweight - 3 divisions where Strikeforce has nice depth.
Lock the roster down. No more switching champs over to the UFC - decide who stays, and keep them there.
Keep Women's MMA alive - for now. In the WEC, there were the Featherweight and Bantamweight divisions that were unique. Both divisions eventually flourished, and are now a good asset to the UFC. In Strikeforce, women's MMA can play that same role. Keep it alive, let it develop. If it takes off to the degree that it can be a part of the UFC, bring it in. If it doesn't, let it go.
Focus on new prospects, not old veterans. No more Keith Jardine or Robbie Lawler. Both are talented, but they won't be in the UFC again, so why bother? Use your resources to build up possible future UFC contenders and champions. And they have plenty of those - Tim Kennedy, Luke Rockhold, Jacare, Ovince St. Preux... these are the men to build up.

With these plans in place, Strikeforce can become a great tool for the UFC. Like the WEC before it, Strikeforce can give younger fighters a chance to test themselves against fighters at their same level while gaining valuable experience dealing with the added pressure of television, PPV, title fights, and so much more.

On the one hand, it looks like this is the direction that Zuffa is headed, which gives me hope. On the other, if you visit Strikeforce's website today, less than one week before their next show, you see a shocking lack of content, which does not bode well for Zuffa's commitment to the company. If the do indeed shut Strikeforce down, they will gain more fighters to the UFC roster, which is a good short term positive. But in the long-run, a developmental league can be a valuable tool, and it's one the UFC should continue to use.

Not exactly a timely article.

captain organic wrote:

Not exactly a timely article.

whys that?

I'd say Akiyama won just for this move.

I didn't see that 30-27 at all.

OU wrote:

captain organic wrote:

Not exactly a timely article.

whys that?

Cause we went over "SF as the new WEC" angle months ago.

captain organic wrote:

OU wrote:

captain organic wrote:

Not exactly a timely article.

whys that?

Cause we went over "SF as the new WEC" angle months ago.

Yeah but you can understand with the WEC having success in the UFC how this would be coming out now. You have Sonnen, Stann and now the WEC is making big noise in the UFC and just claimed the title. It's only logical people would be hopeful the "other Zuffa organization" could be as successful as the last "other Zuffa organization"

By we, we mean wolf. Who argued this premise like what, almost a full calender year ago when every dickshit blogger and poster online was like NO NICK DAZ NOBOY WANNA EVER WATCH STRIKEFORTH including most here. Im the best. fuck you all in the mouth. Boom.

Wolfgangsta wrote:

By we, we mean wolf. Who argued this premise like what, almost a full calender year ago when every dickshit blogger and poster online was like NO NICK DAZ NOBOY WANNA EVER WATCH STRIKEFORTH including most here. Im the best. fuck you all in the mouth. Boom.

LOL, what? I must be reading something wrong. You claiming most of us don't watch SF?

Bitch I was going to SF in 2006, none of you watch SF, EVA!

Strikeforce will bring contenders(already have) but none of their divisions are deep enough after HW, which the UFC has already absorbed.

As long as they keep Rockhold, Gil, Mousasi, etc there they will have to bring in veterans. Plus they won't be putting on enough cards.

Bellator tournaments are more enticing to younger prospects...yes, SF brings the Zuffa element but the Bellator tournaments bring fighters along nicely, get them paid, get them work, and help them build names. Most importantly they get fights. Bellator focus is and have been on filling their roster with younger fighters. I think they'll beat out SF in that regard by a wiiide margin...especially when they move over to Spike next year. Bellator will be the "new" WEC and in time will blow out SF as the #2. Only they won't be under the Zuffa banner(but who knows, i was shocked by SF getting bought out)

I agree that SF should do it, but i don't think that was the goal of keeping SF. They'll have prospects here and there that get fed to the wolves too soon because their divisions lack the "in between" but UFC will be putting on enough cards, along with TUF and depth to bring along enough prospects they'll need. In time SF will really be a graveyard for guys the UFC likes but have hit a dead end in the UFC and a platform for the main reason i think they kept SF, the women.

yea, all the prospects and new fighters that will be signed in the next years will go to the UFC and any that dont and are signed to the SF brand will be hot garbage. That was a myth about the WEC. Zuffa will build it from the identical base of fighters. Some will just fight on UFC events called Strikeforce events, against UFC fighters called Strikeforce fighters. There will be a difference clearly in the top of the divisions, but when divisions are 30-50+ fighters deep, Strikeforce will have UFC pack level, like it already does. Kings you whiffed on the WEC badly, doing it again. By far youre the best user on NP, and by far these have been your worst opinions. I love you.