Before it was purchased by UFC parent Zuffa, Strikeforce was portrayed as a legitimate threat to the UFC’s dominance. Whether that was true or not was another story, but for almost two years, the promotion enjoyed the No. 2 spot in the MMA landscape and at times seemed to challenge the UFC’s dominance. A long-term broadcast deal with Showtime, the signing of Fedor Emelianenko, and a heavyweight grand prix were all significant events in the sport. Former Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker took a position with Zuffa in the wake of Strikeforce’s purchase, and briefly kept a role as a figurehead as the promotion’s corporate parent continued to run shows in order to fulfill its broadcast agreement with Showtime.
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