BREAKING NEWS: Dana White, UFC President, confirmed with MMAFighting.com that the parent company of UFC, Zuffa LLC, has purchased UFC’s rival promotion Strikeforce. You can now add Strikeforce to the list of rivals that UFC has purchased after PRIDE and the WEC. Many fighters had heard rumblings of the purchase but were unaware of the validity of these rumors until today. White explained the purchase as an acquisition, not a merger and as part of UFC’s goal to expand its talent world wide.
UFC President Dana White says at this time there will be not be a merger of rosters. Strikeforce talent will remain on its roster, separate from UFC’s roster. Although some MMA fans will be disappointed because they will not see highly anticipated cross promotional matches, according to White. Strikeforce will continue to run with business as usual and as its own legal identity. Fighters, broadcast contracts and other employee contracts will not be change. Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker will also continue his relationship with the company and continue to run the day to day operations.
Update 3/14/11: Forza, LLC, a Subsidiary of Zuffa, LLC (company that owns UFC) has announced today, March 14th, 2011 that they have officially purchased Explosion Entertainments, LLC most commonly known as StrikeForce. Under this deal, all contracts will be continued to be honored by StrikeForce.