With a depleted roster following its acquisition by Zuffa, Strikeforce continues to face questions of its validity as a fight promotion. With ratings lower than the last couple of years on Showtime, and bloated fighter contracts out-spending gate receipts, there's been a growing mindset that it's only a matter of time before the one-time competitor is absorbed fully by the UFC.
Not so fast, says UFC President Dana White.
"Strikeforce is not going anywhere," White said in an interview with Ron Kruck for HDNet's Inside MMA. "Strikeforce is performing very well for Showtime. They love the business, it's not going anywhere."
Furthermore, Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez isn't going anywhere, either. Despite complaints of his level of opposition and a lack of motivation fighting said opposition, Melendez will remain in Strikeforce for the time being.
"Gilbert Melendez is a huge star over there," White said. "He's their guy. He just won again, and he will fight again on Showtime."
As for who Melendez will face next, or whether there's any possibility of an opponent being brought over from the UFC, White simply left the door open for anything.
"We'll see, I don't know who he's going to fight next, but anything is possible," he said. "We'll see what happens."
