There been talk for some time about setting up a superfight between Gilbert Melendez and Eddie Alvarez, respectively, the Strikeforce and Bellator lightweight champions. That's undoubtedly an incredible match-up of two Top 5 fighters that's as or more compelling than any UFC lightweight fight. It appears that Bellator's boss, Bjorn Rebney, is more willing to make it happen, but Strikeforce's top dog, Scott Coker, should come around if it makes sense from a business standpoint. Since Strikeforce is the bigger promotion of the two, Coker is pretty much holding all the cards here. Understandably, Coker doesn't want Bellator to piggyback on Strikeforce to advance their brand. The question is, what does Rebney bring to the table here? Other than some quality fighters and some potentially good match-ups, not a whole lot. Ultimately, Rebney wants to partner up with Coker, combine rosters for a show, and put together a compelling enough card to stage as a PPV. I don't think that's the route they should take unless they are able to do so at a relatively inexpensive price, something in the $20 range. Many more casual MMA fans would consider buying a non-UFC PPV for $20, than would for double that. If exposure is of prime importance, doesn't it make more sense to have 100,000 buys at $20, than 50,000 buys at $40? As history has shown for non-UFC pay-per-views, even those numbers are lofty goals to achieve.
Coker seems somewhat willing to pursue the possibility of a cross-promotion with Rebney but isn't happy with the Bellator boss' approach in trying to make that happen. Rebney has been planting a lot of stories and blurbs in the media as opposed to coming directly to him and chopping it up. Coker has been quoted as saying, "The thing is, if Bjorn is serious about doing this, then there has to be a business component that has to be worked out. Unfortunately, that hasn't started yet. It's just been a bunch of stuff in the media. He's chosen the media to use as a platform to try to push this thing along, but I think it's maybe a PR move." In other words, if Rebney is really serious about attempting this he needs to pick up a phone(which he claims he has) or get on a plane and begin serious discussions. Very recently, Bellator's PR firm released credible proof of four text messages from Rebney to Coker attempting to initiate talks regarding the two companies working together. To Rebney's credit, he is making an honest stab at this, but publicly proving that he texted Coker isn't very smart. He's basically saying, "see everyone, I'm trying here but Scott isn't responding." This isn't going to make this already bumpy, pothole plagued road any smoother. If Coker was already reluctant to get in bed with Rebney, he might be dead set against it now.
The potential cross-promotion match-ups go beyond that lightweight superfight. After defending his belt at Bellator 34, middleweight champion, Hector Lombard, called out jiu-jitsu ace and Strikeforce champ, Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza. It seems like there is a concerted effort by Bellator's fighters to put the cross-promotion concept into the public consciousness. In a recent radio interview on the Savage Dog Show, Melendez continued to push for the superfight with Alvarez, saying, "I think we're getting warmer. You guys are talking about it. Everyone's talking about it. Someone's going to get backed into a corner. We're going to figure out why it's not happening eventually, and that person's probably going to be cornered in and they're probably going to have to give in. Because everyone seems like they're up for it. Bjorn, Scott, Eddie and I. So there's something going on where we can't come to an agreement. I think eventually it's going to come out, and with media and everyone talking about it, I think we're getting a lot closer and a lot warmer." He further elaborated, stating, "Obviously Strikeforce is the bigger promotion than Bellator. That could be it. That does seem like it. I'm not sure if it's Coker or what, but I know Scott has co-promoted before. I think if things make sense, it can work out."
Gilbert is definitely passionate about making this fight happen. If Coker wants to keep one of his top fighters happy and in the fold, he has to make this fight happen. He doesn't want Gil to be the next Jake Shields and fly the coop. Melendez further expounded on how important this fight is to him and how tough a fight it would be, saying, "It would mean the world to me, that's my ultimate goal, to be number one in the world at 155. If I get there, I'll be very happy. I've been working hard and I want to beat all these big names. Eddie Alvarez is one of them. I'm technically ranked above him in the rankings and I still want to fight the guy because I know he's a tougher match-up. I'm not going to heel hook him in one minute like Shinya Aoki. I know that's not what's going to happen. It's going to be a battle, it's going to be a war. I'm not OK with just having the journalists put me number two. I really want to prove it myself. I want to beat the one through 10 on my own. I really want to beat them all. If I'm still with Strikeforce, I think that fight does need to happen." Melendez continued, "The only other way is if I move on and somehow I'm in the UFC(words that must give Coker nightmares) fighting out there. If I beat Josh Thomson again, if I beat Shinya again, it's not really going to do nothing for my status or to make my spot go up. That's why I want this fight."
Beyond that lightweight showdown there are other solid Strikeforce/Bellator match-ups that make sense including:
•Josh "Punk" Thompson Vs Roger Huerta
•Lyman Good Vs Scott Williams
•Ben Askren Vs Nick Diaz
If you throw the big boys into the picture, I could see Bellator's top two heavyweights, Cole Conrad and Neil Grove in interesting fights with some of Strikeforce's heavies. Newly signed Josh Barnett matching up with Conrad is stylistically intriguing. Its a big step up in competition for Cole but his world class wrestling makes it interesting. Josh needs to get his competitive blood flowing again and this could be a perfect fight to do that with. Solid prospect Shane Del Rosario against Grove would be a barnburner. Someone's getting KTFO in that one.
There are undoubtedly possibilities worth pursuing here, but it looks less and less likely to happen due to Rebney's questionable PR tactics. Since Bellator has less to offer you would think Rebney would try and show a bit more tact here. Publicly calling out Coker as being unresponsive is absolutely the wrong way to approach this. On the other hand, maybe this will light a fire under Coker's ass and these guys can start throwing tangible ideas around about the best way to make this happen. Neither company has done a very good job of promoting and marketing their own shows so maybe between the two of them, they can double the effort and effectively market a cross-promotion. The fighters and fights are definitely there to do a very solid card together but the preliminary work has to begin. A phone conversation is a good place to start.
Let's go already, fellas!
No comments:
Post a Comment