Strikeforce Farm System

It looks like Strikeforce is becoming a true talent development machine similar to the UFC.  With talent like Tyrone Woodley and Daniel Cormier among many others they are proving they can develop top flight talent and not just pick up UFC left overs.  Brendan Vera is a free agent now that he has been cut from the UFC but Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker said they don't need to sign UFC cuts exactly because of this talent development capability they now have.  I do think that Brendan Vera would be a good signing at least for a couple of fights since he helps beef up their light heavyweight division and could act as a gate keeper for future talent.  Mousasi, Feijao and King Mo give them a strong core of light heavyweights that I think could compete at the top levels of the UFC but they need someone to test their up and comers and I think Brendan Vera could do that.  It's important to note that Strikeforce didn't bother signing big names Keith Jardine, Kimbo Slice and Mark Coleman after they were released from the UFC.  In fact, they haven't even signed former top prospect Todd Duffee who at least has future potential.  This is a good sign for Strikeforce and indicates that they may be ready to compete long term at the top levels with the UFC.

Strikeforce Heavyweight Tournament set to Determine the Best

The best MMA heavyweight in the world will be determined at the end of the Strikeforce heavyweight tournament which starts in Feb.  It's an eight man tournament that features fights with Fedor Emelianenko against Antonio "bigfoot" Silva and Alistair Overeem against Fabricio Werdum.  Josh Barnett, Brett Rogers and Andrei Arlovski are also in the tournament.  Once the tournament ends we'll definitely have the best heavyweight in the world determined (regardless of what the UFC/MMA Live family says!).  The UFC is struggling with injuries right now.  Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos are the only top ranked heavyweights in the UFC.  Brock Lesnar is and always was over rated.  Frank Mir is also over rated.  Shane Carwin (like Josh Barnett) has already been busted for PED use and there really isn't much else from a heavyweight perspective in the UFC.

GSP to Face Jake Shields and Fedor Comes Back

Fedor Emeianenko will face Antonio Silva on a Feb. 12th Strikeforce card that will also feature Andrei Arlovski versus Josh Barnett.  It looks like Fabricio Werdum will take on Brett Rogers in March as well.  This is setting up a heavyweight tournament between the best heavyweights in the world (outside of maybe one or two in the UFC).  I'm assuming Alistair Overeem will also be fighting in there somewhere early next year (defending his title).

In other fight action, GSP will get arguably his greatest challenge against Jake Shields at UFC 129 in Toronto.  That one should be an amazing fight between two top pound for pound fighters.  That fight will be happening on April 30th and be sure to expect an interesting tactical fight.

Could we see Pacquiao vs Mayweather in 2011?

It's highly unlikely that we will see Manny Pacquiao against Floyd Mayweather this year mainly due to Floyd's personal issues and their negotiation problems.  They will probably fight once both are out of their primes - maybe 2012 or later.  Pacquiao may age quicker than Mayweather given how active he is in fighting top flight challengers.  I hope they can get around the steroid testing issues as there are a lot of people out there who think this is a real problem.  Mayweather's personal life should eventually calm down and then he'll be looking for another pay day.  Unfortunately, Pacquiao is a risky gamble for him - steroids or not.  For Manny, he'll need to fight with a resolution that the fans trust.  Specifically, a good enough level of testing.  Otherwise, any win against Floyd might be tainted for some.  The problem is whether Floyd wants this fight at all.  I still don't know that he does.  Ultimately, as everyone says, the money is too much to leave on the table.  It will eventually happen just like Roy Jones and Bernard Hopkins eventually fought.  Hopefully, it happens while both fighters are still close to their primes as it likely won't be while they are in their primes.

Edgar and Maynard Draw at UFC 125

In what was more of an exciting fight than expected, Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard fought to a draw in their lightweight title tilt at UFC 125.  In a first round reminiscent of Amir Khan's 10th round survival against Marcos Maidana, Frankie Edgar showed incredible heart and courage in surviving a brutal onslaught from Gray Maynard.  After taking a first round destruction, Edgar settled down and recovered to fight a brilliant fight and take 3 of the last 4 rounds in my opinion.  If you give Gray a 10-7 first round he should have won the fight just barely.  I think a draw is fair although I would have probably given it to Gray by a hair with that first round.  In boxing you get 12 rounds so losing one round badly isn't that bad whereas in MMA you get 3 or 5 depending on whether it is a championship fight so the judging becomes critical.  I had Edgar losing the first fight with BJ and this one with Gray so he's really relied heavily on these close fights and the judges giving him the belt.  His amazing courage in this fight really made me a fan of his.  I still think he's lost 2 of his last 3 and shouldn't have the belt.  Poor Anthony Pettis might have to wait for his UFC title shot unless Dana decides to give him a shot at Edgar regardless of the heated draw tonight.

Steroid Cheater Chael Sonnen Set to Return to MMA in the UFC

It looks like Chael Sonnen will be allowed back into the UFC despite having "abnormally high" levels of testosterone in his system during his fight with Anderson Silva.  His suspension was cut in half to 6 months for no reason.  Chael claims to have disclosed the fact that he was using PEDs for medical reasons which apparently makes it okay to cheat.  Here's a thought:  why not allow the guy to get back to "normal" levels of testosterone rather than "abnormally high" levels.  Maybe that's a crazy idea but I figured doping up insanely on PEDs isn't the cure to whatever he's got.  We're no doctors here at Premier Boxing & MMA but for crying out loud this is freakin ridiculous.  What if I needed a new arm and built a bionic arm that could knock guys into outer space - would all I need to do be tell someone?

Chael's also got a good mouth so they're putting the drug cheater on MMA Live and allowing him to keep fighting meaning the UFC/MMA Live family can make more money and cheat the fans from legitimate competition.  Pathetic.