Anderson Silva Should Be Traded to Strikeforce

We have yet to enter the age where contracted fighters are traded from one organization to another, but never before has a promotion been stuck with an ill-fitting athlete in such a high-profile spot. That's right, I'm talking about UFC middleweight champ Anderson Silva. Rightfully hyped as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, and dangerous like a lit stick of dynamite wrapped in barbed wire and covered with razors is dangerous, Silva is now at the level where he's beaten everyone who may have been a threat to him. The only possible opponents left are people with no chance who know they have no chance, so fans are stuck with bouts best described as "boring pieces of doggy crap". The solution: trade Silva to Strikeforce. Does anyone honestly think Strikeforce middleweights like Cung Le, Robbie Lawler, Scott Smith and Benji Radach are going to butt flop against Silva? Of course not. Everyone of these 185-pounders would swing for the fences and go out on their shield (or get lucky and land a golden knockout). What would the UFC get out of the deal? Aside from a fighter worthy of the Octagon, they'd get their middleweight division back. Because right now, the UFC's middleweight division belongs to Anderson Silva... and he's not giving it up anytime soon.

Observations From My Couch: Strikeforce's "Shamrock vs. Diaz"

• I liked EliteXC and thought the organization was a solid alternative to the UFC brand. Strikeforce is ten times better.
• There was absolutely no shame in Abongo Humphrey's performance. He managed to hang in there with a super-dangerous Brett Rogers. As for Rogers, it's a crime he's been sidelined so long. He could've been knocking out UFC heavyweights all this time.
• Cris Cyborg looked good beating on someone not even remotely her size. Gina Carano is going to kill her.
• Benji Radach vs. Scott Smith was an incredible bout and a candidate for "fight of the year". Warriors like these two men are what MMA is all about. I guarantee Dana White watched that fight, dialed Joe Silva's number and cursed him out for ever letting Radach and Smith go.
• Gilbert Melendez. Meh.
• When he's healthy, and he doesn't have to cut a retarded amount of weight, Nick Diaz is one of the best in the world. No doubt about it.

Scott Smith: "Having Hands Made of Steel Really Sucks Sometimes"

Mention Scott Smith's name to fans and most, if not all, will think of his nickname "Hands of Steel", his slugfest-rich fighting history and his propensity for leaving opponents unconscious on the canvas. But day-to-day life can be difficult for the man who twice waged war with Robbie Lawler on EliteXC's live CBS shows. "You know, having hands made of steel really sucks sometimes," says Smith candidly. "I mean, I can move my fingers a little and point at stuff and, of course, make a fist. Picking up things without crushing them? Impossible." Smith's plight is often overlooked as merely a downside to being an exciting top-ranked middleweight fighter. In reality, though, it affects his daily life. He can't toss around a football with his kids without popping the ball, he can't hold a can of soda without it exploding, and he can't swim - his steel hands simply drag him to the bottom. "God gave me a gift when he provided me with these hands," says Smith. "But seriously, it does suck." Smith is slated to face off against the heavy-handed Benji Radach on Strikeforce's April 11th "Shamrock vs. Diaz" event in San Jose, California. The event will be broadcast on Showtime.

Strikeforce Showing Us How It's Done

Rumors are trickling in as to who will be fighting on the new and improved Strikeforce's April 11th Showtime card. Frank Shamrock and Nick Diaz have signed on the dotted line and will be facing each other, Benji Radach and Scott Smith are throwing down, Robbie Lawler may be rematching with Joey Villasenor, Gilbert Melendez is fighting, Josh Thomson may be fighting, and maybe, just maybe, Gina Carano and Cristiane Cyborg might be in the mix. You know, for the past few months there's been a void left behind thanks to EliteXC's demise, and fans have been stuck with about ten versions of the same UFC a month plus the rare Affliction event. But with Strikeforce's new contract with Showtime and CBS, things have suddenly changed, and changed in a big way. We now have options when it comes to seeing intriguing and captivating fights, and our heroes - like Diaz, Radach, Lawler and Carano - can once again return to battle. It's a good time to be a fan.

Strikeforce Poised to Become the Next Strikeforce

Strikeforce, the ultra-successful West Coast regional promotion that can boast live attendance records and a late-night television show on NBC, is poised to become the next Strikeforce thanks to its announced acquisition of ProElite's assets yesterday. Known throughout the industry for its strong business model and high-quality product, the organization that has brought fans match-ups featuring Cung Le, Frank Shamrock and Cesar Gracie, as well as other big ticket sellers, will now have access to EliteXC's superstars, like Kimbo Slice, Gina Carano, and Robbie Lawler - and it will have EliteXC's broadcasting agreements with Showtime and CBS to boot. "Everyone says they want to be the next Strikeforce," said Strikeforce Head Honcho Scott Coker. "Well, with ProElite's assets, and, um, the fact that we already are Strikeforce, I think we're going to be the next Strikeforce. The Strikeforce of Strikeforces, if you will. Wait, now I'm confused..." The first rumored Strikeforce event on Showtime may be in April, and will feature Scott Smith against Benji Radach.

EliteXC "Heat" Liveblog 6

• The venue is packed and the crowd is vocal. No one has said "kick his ass, seabass!" yet. But I wait patiently for it.
• Benji Radach/Murilo Rua was a good one. Radach was all smiles on the way back to the locker room. Rua looked like he'd fallen off the back of a truck doing 70mph on the highway.
• Stitch, the world famous cut man, is sitting in the audience. I guess if there are fights in the stands, he'll be there to patch people up?
• Kelly Kobold/Gina Carano is up next. Things are about to get nuts here. I think some dude just threw his underwear into the cage at Carano's introduction.