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Thursday, February 12, 2009
Do All Elite Champs Go To Heaven?
In a conference call announcing Strikeforce's first solo Showtime effort on Apr. 11, CEO Scott Coker said the merging of Elite XC talent with his roster would create possibility for new champions.
"We should give them the ability to come fight and unify the titles at some point in 09," said Coker.
The first fight in that vein would be a bout between Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson and former Elite XC champion KJ Noons (Noons never lost the title, but was stripped in a contract dispute with the organization) on the 11th.
"That would be an amazing fight and that's why we're trying to put that together," said Coker.
No word yet on whether Noons--or more accurately, his manager, Mark Dion--has accepted the bout, but on paper, it looks to be a dynamite match-up.
As for Elite's other title holders, like welterweight champ Jake Shields, middleweight champ Robbie Lawler, and heavyweight champ Antonio Silva, the bag is mixed.
Shields has not yet come to terms with his contract's transfer to Strikeforce, reportedly prefers a jump to the UFC, and most important, Strikeforce doesn't have a current undisputed welterweight champion.
Lawler is on board for the transfer, but has a slim to none chance of facing Cung Le until late 2009, and may be second in line to a Le rematch with Frank Shamrock.
Silva is out--Coker opted not to pick up "Giant" in light of his pending suit with the California State Athletic Commission.
One out of four isn't great, but it's a start.Labels: Antonio Silva, Jake Shields, Josh Thomson, Robbie Lawler, Strikeforce
posted by MMAInsiderBLOG @ 2:30 AM
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elite had 5 champions, not 4. Wilson Reis, undefeated in his career so far, is the bantamweight champ. He won his title shortly before they collapsed.
What's to come of Wilson Reis? Undefeated and no calls, no contract with WEC? Dream... what the hell.
Reis is signed with Bellator.