MMA Fighting reports that Jason “Mayhem” Miller has signed with the UFC. Miller’s last fight in Strikeforce was last April and his contract with Strikeforce has since expired.
While the news of Miller’s signing enhances the UFC middleweight division, Luke Thomas at SB Nation points out the issue with this signing:
But now what is the value add? Strikeforce is still a less exposed brand even with Zuffa’s marketing machine, now with fewer contenders. Existing contracts that still provide certain freedoms to fighters are still in play, but it’s not even clear the UFC will allow that to continue. And with the declining Japanese market combined with the increased exposure and monetary returns fighting in the UFC offers, is there really a compelling reason to sign with Strikeforce?
As the integrity of the roster crumbles by having top talent slowly bleed into the UFC, the idea that fighters will want to sign with Strikeforve (sic) over the UFC or that it’s even a brand to keep alive will slowly fade. If there are contracts in place that have to be maintained, then there’s little the UFC can do but wait. Wait they will, though. The trajectory is clear: the future of Strikeforce is no future at all.
Payout Perspective:
Miller’s signing with the UFC eliminates the possibility of a fight with Nick Diaz. Arguably, that fight would have drew eyes to Strikeforce due to the backstory and the genuine hate between the two. But what Thomas underscores is the fact that the UFC and Strikeforce cannot operate as business as usual when it comes to talent acquisition. Is there really going to be a bidding war for the services of a fighter? Did Strikeforce make a push for Miller to resign with the Strikeforce? A bidding war between UFC-Strikeforce would seem ludicrous since both entities are owned by the same company.
It is obvious that when Strikeforce contracts expire, Zuffa will decide the direction of the fighter: resign with Strikeforce, sign with UFC or decide not to resign the fighter. With the Miller signing, we are beginning to see the plan of either using Strikeforce as a feeder system for the UFC or as Thomas indicates, eventually phasing Strikeforce out.
While I agree that the likely outcome is that the UFC will raid Strikeforce’s talent cupboard, Mayhem is not the right guy to cause alarms to go off.
Miller was a total non-entity in the Strikeforce brand. He went 0-1 in televised fights for the company. His only other fight for them was a prelim against a guy who had no business fighting in a major promotion. The Miller to the UFC rumors have been swirling ever since it became clear that Nick Diaz wanted no part of fighting him, long before the Zuffa buyout was on the radar. Mayhem was going to sign with the UFC regardless. Strikeforce did an awful job developing him as a potential draw, and it was time to move on, merger or no merger.
Once the fighter contracts and/or the TV deal with Showtime runs out (16 events?) Strikeforce will be folded. C’mon, everyone knew this from day one.
Agree with Steve as well. Mayhem was a VERY mishandled asset.