organizations into believing that Fedor Emelianenko is a bigger pay-per-view draw than he really is. Plus these organizations were already in financial peril (except for maybe Bodog, but that sure as hell changed once they lost their television deal with ION, not to mention those crappy buyrates came back for the Emelianko vs. Lindland event). Strikeforce, if anything, is on the upswing. They have a stable deal with Showtime, potential to be promoted to CBS, a smart business model and a veteran promoter in Scott Coker, a dude who is smart enough not to let one fighter dictate the San Jose-based organization’s MMA destiny. And if you think about it, M-1 is only co-promoting three events with Strikeforce – obviously the events featuring “The Last Emperor.” Don’t worry folks. Scottie Coker has his condom on. Hypothetically, though, if for some reason his organization fails, he can only blame himself and not MMA’s foreign gonorrhea.

Kelly – The death of Strikeforce? No. It’s conjoined twin who gets the vital organs when they’re separated? Yes. Something has to be said for the losing streak M-1 is experiencing. They’re like the roulette wheel in Vegas that comes up black fifteen times in a row, so you throw all your money on red because the odds tell you a black streak can’t continue. But then it does! While stronger than any promotion M-1 has ever partnered with, Strikeforce should make like Iron Maiden and run to the hills (I can see you banging your head BFF). What puzzles me is what Strikeforce hopes to get out of this deal. M-1 has carved out a niche for international team-based events that get aired on HDNet when the kids are asleep, so partnering with them will only bring two things – Strikeforce’s name on an ill-watched program when only all-night security guards will see it and a ravaged heavyweight division when Fedor breezes through it. Let’s make one thing clear – I like M-1 and think (like most of us) that smaller MMA promotions are essential for the sport to evolve. But M-1 jumping around from promoter to promoter like a heroin flea just makes them look desperate. The worst case scenario for Strikeforce is that they become an anchor that sucks down the cash flow they need to take on the big dog – Dana White.