Strikeforce
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Strikeforce (or Strikeforce Fighting Championship) is an American professional kickboxing and mixed martial arts promotion based in San Jose, California. Contests take place inside a six sided cage.
On March 10, 2006, Strikeforce held Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Gracie, the first MMA event sanctioned by the state of California, taking place at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California. With 18,265 in attendance, Shamrock vs. Gracie broke the previous record for the largest audience at a North American MMA event, earlier held by UFC 57. The record was since broken by UFC 68 and K-1 HERO'S Dynamite!! USA, although Shamrock vs. Gracie retains the paid attendance record of 17,465.[1]
Among the promotion's roster are former UFC champion Frank Shamrock, WWE Tough Enough winner and AKA fighter Daniel Puder, and San Shou champion Cung Le. Recently the promotion contracted Renato Sobral following his termination with the UFC stemming from his violation of UFC regulations. [1]
Strikeforce is promoted by American K-1 promoter Scott Coker and Silicon Valley Sports and Entertainment, operators of the HP Pavilion and the San Jose Sharks NHL hockey club.
Strikeforce is currently being shown on NBC as part of it's late-night package on Saturday nights. Lon McEachern and Ken Shamrock provide commentary.[2]
Contents |
[edit] Strikeforce events
[edit] Current champions
| Weight Division | US Champion | World Champion |
|---|---|---|
| Lightweight (70 kg) |  Josh Thomson |
Gilbert Melendez |
| Middleweight (84 kg) | Eugene Jackson |
Cung Le |
| Light Heavyweight (93 kg) | Bobby Southworth |
|
| Heavyweight (93+ kg) |  Alistair Overeem |
[edit] Strikeforce champions
[edit] Heavyweight World championship
- 205lb and up
| Name: | Date: | Location: | Defenses: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alistair Overeem def. Paul Buentello |
November 16, 2007 Strikeforce: Four Men Enter, One Man Survives | San Jose, CA |
[edit] Light Heavyweight World championship
- 186 to 205 lb
| Name: | Date: | Location: | Defenses: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bobby Southworth def. Vernon White |
December 8, 2006 Strikeforce: Triple Threat | San Jose, CA |
Bobby Southworth was defeated by Anthony Ruiz on November 16, 2007 in a non-title fight.
[edit] Middleweight World championship
- 171 to 185 lb (77 to 84 kg)
| Name: | Date: | Location: | Defenses: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frank Shamrock def. Phil Baroni |
June 22, 2007 Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Baroni | San Jose, CA | |
| Cung Le def. Frank Shamrock |
March 29, 2008 Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Le | San Jose, CA |
[edit] Middleweight US championship
- 171 to 185 lb (77 to 84 kg)
| Name: | Date: | Location: | Defenses: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eugene Jackson def. Ronald Jhun |
December 8, 2006 Strikeforce: Triple Threat | San Jose, CA |
[edit] Lightweight World championship
- 151 to 160 lb (68 to 73 kg)
| Name: | Date: | Location: | Defenses: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clay Guida def. Josh Thomson |
March 1, 2006 Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Gracie | San Jose, CA | |
| Gilbert Melendez def.Clay Guida |
June 9, 2006 Strikeforce: Revenge | San Jose, CA | def. Gabe Lemley on March 29, 2008 at Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Le |
Gilbert Melendez defeated Tetsuji Kato on September 29, 2007 at Strikeforce: Playboy Mansion in a non-title fight.
[edit] Lightweight US championship
- 151 to 160 lb (68 to 73 kg)
| Name: | Date: | Location: | Defenses: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Thomson def. Nam Phan |
December 8, 2006 Strikeforce: Triple Threat | San Jose, CA | def. Nick Gonzalez on June 22, 2007 at Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Baroni |
[edit] References
- ^ Trembow, Ivan. "UFC 68 BREAKS NORTH AMERICAN ATTENDANCE RECORD", MMAWeekly.com, 2007-03-15. Retrieved on 2007-03-15.
- ^ "Strikeforce on NBC", Strikeforce.net
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
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