Strikeforce

Strikeforce (or Strikeforce Fighting Championship) is an American professional kickboxing and mixed martial arts promotion based in San Jose, California. Contests take place inside a six sided cage.

On March 10, 2006, Strikeforce held , the first MMA event sanctioned by the state of California, taking place at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California. With 18,265 in attendance, "Shamrock vs. Gracie" broke the previous record for the largest audience at a North American MMA event, earlier held by "UFC 57". The record was since broken by "UFC 68" and "K-1 HERO'S Dynamite!! USA", although "Shamrock vs. Gracie" retains the paid attendance record of 17,465. [cite news
first=Ivan
last=Trembow
url=http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=3602
title=UFC 68 BREAKS NORTH AMERICAN ATTENDANCE RECORD
date=2007-03-15
accessdate=2007-03-15
work=MMAWeekly.com]

Among the promotion's roster are former UFC champion Frank Shamrock, WWE Tough Enough winner and AKA fighter Daniel Puder, and San Shou champion Cung Le. Recently the promotion contracted Renato Sobral following his termination with the UFC stemming from his violation of UFC regulations. [http://www.punchdrunkgamer.com/interviewsJoshThomson2.html]

Strikeforce is promoted by American K-1 promoter Scott Coker and Silicon Valley Sports and Entertainment, operators of the HP Pavilion and the San Jose Sharks NHL hockey club.

Strikeforce is currently being shown on NBC as part of it's late-night package on Saturday nights. Lon McEachern and Ken Shamrock provide commentary. [http://www.strikeforceusa.net/nbc/ "Strikeforce on NBC"] , Strikeforce.net]

Strikeforce events

Current champions

=Light Heavyweight World championship =

:"186 to 205 lb"

=Middleweight US championship =

:"171 to 185 lb (77 to 84 kg)"

=Lightweight US championship =

:"146 to 155 lb (68 to 73 kg)"

References

See also

* Mixed Martial Arts
* List of MMA organizations

External links

* [http://www.strikeforceusa.net Official Strikeforce site]