The mixed martial arts community is still clamoring over Zuffa’s purchase of Strikeforce. As the overall response continues to pour in, this will be the topic that powers MMA talk radio and press coverage for the next few weeks to months. Still, just as the fighters and other promotion employees are left to speculate their place in the promotion, the media will not have any concrete answers until they develop. I have decided to look at a few individuals who are big winners and losers after the purchase.
Winner – Dana WhiteThis one is an easy one. Even through White is the UFC President and not the outright owner, I believe that he is the biggest winner of all from this deal. A few years ago, FIGHT magazine did a story on the most powerful individuals in the business of mixed martial arts. Dana White was a solid number one on that list. After this deal, no one will ever have the chance of catching him. Once everything is smoothed over, he will have a laundry list of new toys to play with and pit against one another. Dana White may have just claimed the position that Don King and Bob Arum fought over for years.
Losers – Free Agent FightersMonopolies have always hurt the talent on the field. Look at other sports organizations for example. If a college football player can’t make it in the National Football League, where else can he play and make the same money? What about a Major League Baseball player? The same thing is now true for mixed martial artists. Dan Henderson and Jake Shields are two big names who benefited from UFC and Strikeforce bidding against each other for their services. Now, that won’t happen. Their choices are now accept the offer from Zuffa or toil away in obscurity in smaller promotions. Mixed martial artists were already facing parity when it comes to paychecks, and Zuffa’s purchase of Strikeforce just made the gap much wider.
Winner – The FansThis is another easy choice. While MMA fans may not reap the benefits of this purchase right out of the gate, the long term bonuses will be there to enjoy. We may be looking at a time in which a big name MMA event will occur every weekend throughout the year. With all of the WEC and Strikeforce fighters now under the Zuffa banner, that goal can be reached. Also, more of those events can be made available on free television. Along with this, more of these free events will potentially feature household names that could not fit on Pay per View cards. Fans may also get to witness fights between the biggest names in the sport. Their excitement is well worth it.
Losers – Women’s MMAWith names such as Cristiane Santos, Marloes Coenen, and Miesha Tate, Strikeforce was on its way to developing the women’s division. Other organizations such as Bellator and Shark Fights have followed suit and put on great fights featuring Tara LaRosa and Zoila Gurgel. Dana White has made his stance against women’s MMA adamant so this places them at odds with the Zuffa organization. Without Strikeforce as the major platform, women fighters may be forced to smaller organizations which mean smaller pay scales. The lack of coverage can also hurt their overall earning potential.
Honorable mentions:Winners: Joe Silva, Bellator, and upstart promoters
Losers: Those on Dana White’s Hate List, fighter management teams
