A story run by AXS TV's "Inside MMA" claims that, according to reliable sources, Showtime is looking to end its broadcasting relationship with Strikeforce, signaling what could be the fast approaching end to the Zuffa-owned promotion as we know it today.

It's been a rough month for Strikeforce and its fans.

In September, Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez made the decision to withdraw from his main event match opposite number one contender Pat Healy because of a badly separated shoulder.

The loss of the headlining bout prompted Showtime, Strikeforce's cable broadcasting partner, to cancel the event, stating a lack of interest in airing the card without the marquee match up.

That's not all.

The injury bug soon struck again when Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) heavyweight Frank Mir was forced to withdraw from his one-off "crossover" fight with Strikeforce heavyweight Daniel Cormier, which was scheduled to take place in Oklahoma City, Okla., on Nov. 3, 2012.

Cormier is still technically on the card and scheduled to fight; however, no opponent has been named with the event less than one month from today.

Sounds fishy.

To complicate matters even further, Strikeforce Middleweight champion, Luke Rockhold, announced yesterday that he, too, will be sidelined for his fight opposite Lorenz Larkin, which was scheduled to serve as the Nov. 3 card's co-main event.

The promotion is in turmoil. And a report surfaced the evening (courtesy of AXS TV's "Inside MMA"), claiming that reliable sources have stated a decaying relationship between Showtime and Strikeforce. If accurate, the Nov. 3 Strikeforce show is in serious danger of cancelation.

It could also mean that Strikeforce's end as a promotion may be drawing near more quickly than originally thought.

Here's the report, which was delivered by "Inside MMA's" Kenny Rice:

"'Inside MMA' has heard from multiple sources that the relationship between Strikeforce and Showtime may be coming to an end. We are being told that the November 3rd event is in serious jeopardy, and there's a strong possibility that Showtime will no longer broadcast Strikeforce events. This could very possibly signify the end of the Strikeforce brand. Strikeforce was purchased by Zuffa in March of 2011. We have to receive any word from either Showtime or Strikeforce as this development continues."

At this point in time, the report has been neither officially confirmed nor denied by the powers that be at Showtime or Strikeforce.

Source http://www.mmamania.com/2012/10/8/34762 ... inside-mma

I wonder what will happen to the promotion. From Showtime's point of view Strikeforce represents cheap programming but at this point looks like they realised that it has been stripped to the bare bones in terms of talent. The likes of Rockhold, Cormier, Jacare,.... need bigger names and money for the sake of their careers.

Despite rumors of org's demise, Green-Masvidal set for Nov. 3 Strikeforce event

Despite the organization reportedly facing an uncertain future, the fight card for Strikeforce's Nov. 3 event continues to take shape. For now, anyway.

A lightweight fight between Bobby Green (19-5 MMA, 4-1 SF) and Jorge Masvidal (23-7 MMA, 5-1 SF), which MMAjunkie.com (http://www.mmajunkie.com) first reported this past month, is now official for the card.

However, a report from HDNet's "Inside MMA" suggests the event may not take place and that Strikeforce and Showtime may soon sever ties.

"We are being told that the Nov. 3 event is in serious jeopardy," "Inside MMA" host Kenny Rice said on Monday. "There's a strong possibility that Showtime will no longer broadcast Strikeforce events. This could very possibly signify the end of the Strikeforce brand."

Strikeforce and Showtime have made no formal announcements about the companies' future, and sources close to the deal have given MMAjunkie.com no indication the Nov. 3 event has been scratched. However, Showtime has the option to extend the deal through 2013, though officials haven't commented on that possibility.

Zuffa, the UFC's parent company, purchased Strikeforce in early 2011 and eventually slimmed down the promotion with the elimination of its Challengers series and a move of some talent to the UFC.

Recently, five days before a Sept. 29 event, officials canceled the show following an injury to headliner Gilbert Melendez. The injury bug also has hit the Nov. 3 card. In recent weeks, UFC import Frank Mir has pulled out a headliner with heavyweight-grand-prix winner Daniel Cormier, middleweight champion Luke Rockhold recently scratched from a co-headliner with Lorenz Larkin, and Sara McMann's anticipated promotional debut with Liz Carmouche has been scrapped due to an injury.

For now, the Nov. 3 event is still a go. Tickets are already on sale for the event, which takes place at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City. The main card is slated to air on Showtime, and Showtime Extreme is scheduled to carry the prelims.

The latest card now includes:
Daniel Cormier vs. TBA
Lorenz Larkin vs. TBA
Tim Kennedy vs. Trevor Smith
Liz Carmouche vs. TBA
Bobby Green vs. Jorge Masvidal

Source

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uM3fac89Ktk[/youtube]

I almost didnt believe that this was going to happen, but I think that in our hearts we all knew that Zuffa wouldnt compete with themselves, its just not logical. I dont think it is a deliberate move from Zuffa to run SF to the ground or anything like that but I just dont think they have the same motivation to fight for it to stay alive as they do with the UFC. Plus I am sure they would prefer not to work with Showtime for different reasons. Off course it is a shame if they have to let SF go but I guess it means more fighters for UFC with more possibilities for cool matchups. Guess we will have to wait and see...

from what I heard they (Showtime) didn't want/like Dana's input, look at them now

Yeah and I heard Dana say he didn't like their input so I think it was a mutual feeling of distrust.

not having Dana's input would be like going on dragons den, getting the money off a dragon but saying I don't want/need your input. he has proved he can make it work, and if showtime was in the same predicament with his input then and only then could it be said what he said didn't work

What a shame. Zuffa could have, and I hope the still do, make the Strikeforce brand their "minor league". Put in on fuel or FX and have all the up and comers fight it out for the opportunity to move over to the UFC.

if you watch fightville, you will see how the UFC get there fighters as Dustin 'The Diamond' Poirier proves, and shows like that. Even Anderson Silva started on little shows, Cage Rage and even smaller befor that. Plus TUF (not so good fighters now, unlike first show) now it's you have a mohawk you'll make good TV. I can't see the UFC putting there name to other up and comers apart from TUF.