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If you’re looking for real answers to burning questions about Strikeforce, it become evident today that UFC president Dana White, not Scott Coker, is the man you want to talk to.

In an attempt to figure out what’s going on between Zuffa and Golden Glory, Mauro Ranallo asked Scott Coker yesterday why Strikeforce suddenly released Marloes Coenen and Valentijn Overeem. Coker explained that there’s simply not enough room on the upcoming cards to give losing fighters fights. So “in fairness to the athletes,” they opted to release Coenen and V. Overeem so they would have the freedom to fight elsewhere. Transcription via MMA Mania:

“Well, you know, Mauro, that whole thing about Alistair (Overeem), I think it’s been documented. I think it’s been regurgitated over and over so I don’t know if we have to get into that. But with Valentijn (Overeem) and Marloes (Coenen), you know, right now, there’s only so many TV spots, as you know, until the middle of next year. And, uh, they’re, um, you know, in this business, you’ve gotta keep winning. So, to me, it was a situation where Valentijn had that loss, I believe in June, so that was already in the works anyway. It just seems sudden to everybody because it just all happened this week. But that was already on its way for Valentijn. The slots are going to be for the fighters that are victorious right now. We have a lot of athletes under contract and we have to get everybody fights and there’s only so many slots. There’s only so many TV dates, we only have two more TV dates on the big show before the end of the year. September is already full, December is getting full and then January is hopefully are finals and that’s going to have a full card already. So in fairness to the athletes, why just let them hang around? It’s a much fairer situation to let them go fight elsewhere and create another future somewhere else.”

So if that’s the case, should we assume Strikeforce will also cut Robbie Lawler, Paul Daley, Fabricio Werdum, Jeff Monson, KJ Noons and every other Strikeforce fighter who lost in recent months? No, probably not, which is why this is one of the weakest spin jobs we’ve seen in a while.

As for the real reason, Dana White explained after the UFC 133 pre-fight press conference today that they were cut because of the way Golden Glory handles fighter pay. Similar to M-1 Global, Golden Glory requires the promoters to pay them instead of paying the fighters directly.

“This is actually a pretty simple explanation. If you look back throughout history, we haven’t had any Golden Glory guys fight with us since Semmy Schilt, right? And the reason is we have very different business practices. It’s tough to do business with them. The bottom line is the way they do business is, you have to pay them, not the fighters. We don’t work that way. It’s not the way we do business. It’s not how it works in the United States with the athletic commissions. You don’t pay the managers and the managers pay the fighters. You pay the fighters and the fighters pay the managers.”

“The reality is, we’re trying to work out deals with these guys and they won’t do it. They said you absolutely can’t pay the fighters, you have to pay us. And it’s pretty simple to look back and see that the last guy who fought in UFC was Semmy Schilt. There was a reason for that.”

Actually, the last Golden Glory fighter to fight for the UFC was Jon Olav Einemo and that was less than two months ago, however Dana said that Golden Glory actually relented in that one instance. When trying to work out deals with their other fighters like Alistair Overeem though, Golden Glory refused to give in, so Zuffa let them go.

Update: Sergei Kharitonov will be done with Strikeforce whether he loses next month in the HWGP semi-finals or goes on to win the tournament. He has two fights left on his contract and they don’t intend to keep him around under the current circumstances, but they must honor the contract until they can legally release him.

On the heels of Alistair Overeem’s stunning Strikeforce release comes news that three of his Golden Glory teammates — Marloes Coenen, Valentijn Overeem and Jon Olav Einemo — have been cut by Zuffa as well.

Golden Glory manager Martijn de Jong tweeted the news earlier today.

I am very dissapointed to let you know that @MarloesCoenen@JohnEinemo and ValentijnOvereem have been cut from @Strikeforce@ufc…..

De Jong didn’t reveal why they were cut, but it seems to be more than just a coincidence. V. Overeem and Einemo were each coming off their first losses in Strikeforce and the UFC while Coenen was Strikeforce’s 135lbs. women’s champ this time last week before losing her title to Miesha Tate over the weekend. It’s not unheard of for Zuffa to cut a fighter after one loss, but I can’t think of one instance where they immediately released one of their champions who just lost their title without some sort of drama going on behind the scenes. It’s also odd that they would release Einemo now when he lost nearly two months ago. Clearly, this is more about Golden Glory than the individual fighters.

Sergei Kharitnov, who appeared alongside Alistair Overeem on that United Glory poster, is the only Golden Glory fighter left on a Zuffa roster. He has an upcoming fight against Josh Barnett in the semi-finals of the HWGP next month. I can’t say for sure, but this news suggests Kharitonov may be fighting for more than a shot in the GP finals. He may be fighting for his job as well.

Image via James Law for MMA Fighting

Update: MMA Junkie was able to track down Martijn de Jong to get his comments on the cuts. In short, he’s very disappointed and doesn’t know why Zuffa is removing Golden Glory fighters from their rosters.

“This is a big blow for us. I feel it’s kind of unfair to the fighters. They train hard. They put on exciting performances.”

“You tell me (if it’s fallout from Alistair Overeem’s release). I have no idea, but it doesn’t look good. Of course, for us, it’s really bad. I’m very disappointed. What can I say?”

“The only thing I can say is I feel disappointed for the fighters, and now we have to go back and see what we’re going to do (and) where we’re going to go. For me, I hope the management can still work something out with Zuffa. I think Alistair needs to fight the best fighters in the world, and I think right now there’s only two people ranked above him: Cain Velasquez and Junior Dos Santos. Alistair only wants to be the best. It’s a pity.”

“For me, it doesn’t make sense. I was just thinking, ‘Is this the future of MMA?’”

I think the future of MMA is pretty clear at this point. Play by Zuffa’s rules or don’t play at all.

Update: Another possibility for the cuts via Loretta Hunt:

Strikeforce “Overeem vs. Werdum” takes place later tonight at the American Airlines Arena in Dallas, Texas. The event airs on Showtime at 10pm ET/PT. The broadcast will be preceded by a prelim special on HDNet at 8pm ET.

In the main event, Alistair Overeem and Fabricio Werdum meet in a Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix quarterfinal bout.

In the co-main event, Josh Barnett and Brett Rogers meet in the other Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix quarterfinal.

In other heavyweight grand prix action, Jeff Monson takes on Daniel Cormier in a reserve bout.

Chad Griggs and Valentijn Overeem meet in the other reserve bout.

KJ Noons and Jorge Masvidal fight for a potential lightweight title shot against Gilbert Melendez.

Results and recap after the jump.

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The Strikeforce “Overeem vs. Werdum” weigh-ins took place earlier this evening at the AT&T Plaza in Dallas, Texas.

All fighters on the main card made weight.

The weigh-in results:

• Alistair Overeem (256) vs. Fabricio Werdum (246)
• Josh Barnett (256) vs. Brett Rogers (258)
• Daniel Cormier (239.5) vs. Jeff Monson (234)
• Chad Griggs (234) vs. Valentijn Overeem (234.5)
• Jorge Masvidal (155) vs. K.J. Noons (156)
• Gesias “JZ” Cavalcante (155) vs. Justin Wilcox (156)
• Magno Almeida (155) vs. Conor Heun (155)
• Nah-Shon Burrell (179) vs. Joe Ray (180)
• Mike Bronzoulis (170) vs. Todd Moore (169.5)
• Brian Melancon (175) vs. Isaac Vallie-Flagg (170)

Fighters in non-title fights are allowed to weigh in one pound over the weight class limit.

Strikeforce “Overeem vs. Werdum” will take place tomorrow, June 18, at the American Airlines Arena in Dallas, Texas and will air live (tape delayed on West coast) on Showtime at 10pm ET/PT. The broadcast will be preceded by a prelim special on HDNet at 8pm ET.

More Strikeforce weigh-in pics at CombatLifestyle.com

MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani caught up Daniel Cormier, Jeff Monson and Valentijn Overeem to talk about their upcoming fights this weekend at Strikeforce “Overeem vs. Werdum.”

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There is a school of thought out there that Zuffa’s buyout of the Strikeforce apparatus means inevitable doom for the accomplished promotion, that when the heavyweight tournament finishes/December comes/the Showtime contracts expire/the Mayan Calendar decrees, Scott Coker’s baby will go the way of the WEC and Pride FC.  No insider past or present will speak on record about the subject, though, so we must only assume that the words of Dana White and company are true, that both brands will co-exist in peaceful harmony.  However, if the whispers of impending death are valid, then the Ancient Roman gladiator cry of “morituri et salutamus” – “we who are about to die salute you” – would be quite apropos when Alistair Overeem, Fabricio Werdum, Josh Barnett and Brett Rogers take to the cage on Saturday night.  “Saturday night?” you ask.  Why yes, that’s when Strikeforce’s “Overeem vs. Werdum”, which features the four remaining Strikeforce heavyweight tournament quarterfinalists battling it out for the right to face Sergei Kharitonov and Antonio Silva in the semis, airs on Showtime.  If rumors are to be believed, it could be one of the last few times such an epic event occurs under the Strikeforce banner.  And if the rumors are pure hogwash, well, it’s one heck of card anyway.  Preview time!

Alistair Overeem vs. Fabricio Werdum – There are two versions of Strikeforce champ Overeem.  Version number one was a light-heavyweight striker felled by Chuck Liddell, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Werdum back when Pride FC was the shizzle.  Version number two, however, could not be more different than the Dutchman’s earlier incarnation.  After a steady diet of horse meat (note: ahem), Overeem is now a heavyweight superhero, capable of holding titles in both Strikeforce and DREAM and the kickboxing organization K-1.  Yeah, yeah, Brazilian submission specialist Werdum has got enough jiu-jitsu in his veins to tap the likes of the untappable Fedor Emelianenko, and he handily defeated Overeem five years ago.  But times (and “The Reem”) have changed.  When the dust settles on Saturday night’s main event, one very big man is going to emerge from the cage wearing on his shoulders the pelt of an elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu stylist.

Josh Barnett vs. Brett Rogers – Love him or hate him (and it seems many hate him), Barnett is still one mean hombre with an arsenal deep and deadly.  Rogers, on the other hand, has got coma-inducing fists and nothing else.  It’s safe to assume the “Baby-Faced Assassin” is going to take him down and surgically remove one of his limbs.

KJ Noons vs. Jorge Masvidal – Tucked in among the giants are a pair of lightweights with a penchant for throwing leather.  In Noons’ case, said leather is thrown about in more of a pugilistic fashion, while Masvidal leans towards the Thai-style of ass-kickery.  Ultimately, that means we’re likely to see one of these dudes unconscious on the canvas before the night is through.  Hey, that’s cool by me.

Valentijn Overeem vs. Chad Griggs – Valentijn, the older brother of Alistair, has proven himself to be much less of a world-beater than his sibling, but he’s still formidable on the feet (and, to a certain degree, on the ground as well).  Also formidable is Griggs, who wields a dangerous set of hands and equally dangerous muttonchops in the cage.  The edge in experience goes to the Dutchman, but this one is really a toss up.  Whoever sports the lowest threshold for damage will lose.

Daniel Cormier vs. Jeff Monson – In a contest between an Olympic wrestler still pretty green in MMA (Cormier), and a muscle-bound grappling ham-and-egger (Monson), it’s safe to say there’s going to be a lot of inexorable hugging against the cage and guys stuck on their backs like overturned turtles.  Hooray (note: ahem).

Strikeforce “Overeem vs. Werdum” is official.

Strikeforce “Overeem vs. Werdum” is scheduled to take place at the American Airlines Arena in Dallas, Texas on Saturday, June 18, and will air on Showtime.

In the main event, Alistair Overeem meets Fabricio Werdum in a quarterfinal bout in the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix. In the co-main event, another quarterfinal match-up takes place between Josh Barnett and Brett Rogers. In a pair of heavyweight grand prix reserve bouts Shane del Rosario meets Daniel Cormier while Chad Griggs looks for his third straight Strikeforce win against Valentijn Overeem.

The card will also feature the return of Gina Carano and a light heavyweight bout between Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal and Ovince St. Preux.

“We are really excited to head to Dallas with two outstanding quarterfinal heavyweight Grand Prix fights,” Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker said. “With Overeem vs. Werdum, Rogers vs. Barnett, as well as the return of Gina Carano, STRIKEFORCE is bringing one of its best cards ever to American Airlines Center.”

Ticket release dates:

• UFC Fight Club pre-sale: Wednesday, April 13 at 10am CT
• “Strikeforce Insiders” E-Newsletter Subscribers Presale: Thursday, April 14 at 10AM CT
• Public On-Sale Date: Friday, April 15 at 10am CT

Tickets will be priced at $350, $225, $125, $75, $50 and $30. They can be purchased at the American Airlines box office or through Ticketmaster and Stubhub.

The latest Strikeforce “Overeem vs. Werdum” fight card and event info can be found in our fight cards section.

Update: Strikeforce sent out a revised newsletter and poster today that did not include the King Mo vs. Ovince St. Preux fight. Also, the official press release did not include an announcement of the fight. There were reports that King Mo would fight in July, so it looks like that was a mistake on Strikeforce’s part.

Tonight’s Strikeforce “Diaz vs. Daley” show was so good I feel like it’s my civic duty as an MMA fan to watch it again before I even think about the next Strikeforce event. But nonetheless,  Showtime is already looking forward to their next big Strikeforce card and announced tonight that the second half of the heavyweight grand prix quarterfinals will take place on June 18 as expected. They also confirmed Gina Carano’s return and revealed more HWGP reserve bouts. Here’s what the main card looks like as of now.

• Alistair Overeem vs. Fabricio Werdum
• Josh Barnett vs. Brett Rogers
• Gina Carano vs. TBD
• Shane del Rosario vs. Daniel Cormier
• Valentijn Overeem vs. Chad Griggs

With Del Rosario, Cormier, V. Overeem and Griggs all scheduled for June, that leaves Fedor Emelianenko without a credible heavyweight opponent currently under Strikeforce contract (besides Andrei Arlovski) for July. I suppose it’s possible someone from the UFC could slide over, but who? The more likely match-up seems to be Dan Henderson. Chatter has picked up significantly in the past few days about a potential Fedor vs. Hendo bout. Both fighters are confirmed for Strikeforce’s July card, but the latest word is that although both are open to it, it’s not a done deal as of yet.

Image via Esther Lin for Strikeforce/Showtime

Highlights from the various heavyweights who appeared at the Strikeforce “Fedor vs. Silva” post-fight press conference.

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Rundown of post-fight news and notes from last night’s Strikeforce ‘Fedor vs. Silva’ event…

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