Strikeforce has bought up EliteXC and secured a television deal with Showtime. They might even take over EliteXC's slot on CBS--they have one show remaining on the contract. They have a solid stable of fighters and they can come up fights such as these, including the announced Robbie Lawler vs. Benji Radach middleweight tilt. 185 - Robbie Lawler vs. Benji Radach 160 - Josh Thompson vs. Nick Diaz 155 - Gilbert Melendez vs. KJ Noons 185 - Cung Le vs. Joey Villasenor 185 - Kazuo Misaki vs. Evangalista Cyborg Santos 185 - Frank Shamrock vs. Maurilo Ninja Rua 205 - Bobby Southworth vs. Rafael Feijao 170 - Jake Shields vs. Phil Baroni 265 - Brett Rogers vs. Kevin Kimbo Slice Fergusson 185 - Scott Smith vs. Kala Kolohe Hose 145 - Gina Carano vs. Christiane Cyborg Santos 155 - Charles Krazy Horse Bennett vs. Yves Edwards 155 - Mitsuhiro Ishida vs. Edson Berto Pretty good?
This is great news that Strikeforce has bought out Elite XC. Now new fans may get a chance to watch a well produced MMA event on CBS. I do believe several Elite XC fighters will try and get their release from their contracts and try and sign with Zuffa (WEC or UFC) top of the list will be Jake Shields and Robbie Lawler. Gina Carno may be another one.
^ Lawler has already agreed to fight Radach at an event on April 11th. Shields had a chance to sign with the UFC and didn't so I'd expect him to go to Strikeforce.
Strikeforce has announced that Nick Diaz will be fighting a "marquee" opponent at the April event as well.
Strikeforce are pushing hard to put the Carano/Santos fight together for April 11th but I just don't think it will happen.