Earlier in the week it was reported by Dave Meltzer that there was a list of Strikeforce fighters that could not compete in the UFC while the two organizations had a agreement with each other. Those allegedly on the list included current champions Gilbert Melendez, Ronda Rousey and Luke Rockhold. As long as they had Strikeforce contracts as Meltzer reported they could not compete in the UFC.
On Tuesday, we sent our fight correspondent Marcos Villegas out to see the head of Showtime Sports Stephen Espinoza and speak to him about the matter. Espinoza clears up a few misconceptions one being that when those three fighters become free agents, they will be able to fight in the UFC regardless if Showtime is still promoting MMA. Though he did make a point that while those three fighters or any fighter is under contract to Strikeforce, they are exclusive to Strikeforce. Now if Zuffa were to come to Showtime with a creative idea say a Strikeforce vs. UFC show, then Espinoza would give the blessing for those fighters to compete in the UFC as long as his network is getting value out of it.
What Espinoza is trying to avoid is having his roster depleted and Showtime not getting any value in having their big stars leave for the UFC. So when you look at it, those three fighter are in a purgatory so to say. Unless Zuffa approaches Showtime with a creative solution which would be a cross promotions with the network, we are likely to see those stars stay in Strikeforce until their contracts run out, which they would be able to move on over to the UFC without restriction.
