This weekend’s Strikeforce Challengers 16 is going to be the big stage for emerging fighters as they step into the MMA cage once again. Looking at the foundation that Strikeforce created, the Challengers format has been beneficial for fighters who are looking to make names for themselves and haven’t quite made it to the main roster for big cards. With Zuffa’s purchase of Strikeforce, this platform could be used to benefit the fighters in its organization.
Strikeforce Challengers has been the launching pad for individuals such as Justin Wilcox and Tyron Woodley, both of whom are now moving closer and closer to title shots, even though they may not have the greatest resumes. The organization has created two potential big name stars by allowing them to fight lesser talent that were pushed as “tests” to the mainstream fan. This really is a brilliant idea.
Zuffa should continue to use Challengers after the inevitable folding of Strikeforce into the UFC roster. Combining the platform with the Ultimate Fighter would be a great way to continue building that mainstream fan base, and developing the stars of tomorrow. The Ultimate Fighter format has begun to reach a stagnant phase, and could use a change.
The new combined TUF/Challengers platform would be an opportunity for Zuffa to fulfill its longtime desire to have a MMA event going on every week of the year. Boxing and ESPN have the Friday Night Fights series that has helped push the career of fighters like Paul Williams and Andre Berto. This is MMA’s chance to give the same type of exposure to its fighters.
I would begin with removing the reality show feel that the Ultimate Fighter has become known for. Instead of showcasing the fighters interacting with each other, take the eight fighters that would be featured on a Thursday night Challengers card and give them each a segment during a UFC Unleashed or another preview type show. Come Thursday, fans would have an “investment” in some of the fighters, and a fan base would be created. Continue to have these fighters showcase their talents against each other, possibly in a tournament format, but with the matches following the standard MMA rules instead of those enacted for the Ultimate Fighter. From there, the fighters who are ready would be positioned to move to the main roster for UFC Pay per View, Spike and Versus events.
Strikeforce Challengers could not only provide the chance for a fighter to explode onto the MMA scene, but it could provide the chance for fans to see solid MMA fights on television, throughout the week, and in their homes. Over time, the payoff would be well worth the investment.
