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Strikeforce still hopes to sign "Kimbo," Carano; in talks with Randleman
While Strikeforce put on an impressive display of in-cage talent at the "Shamrock vs. Diaz" pre-fight press conference on Thursday in Hollywood, Calif., two faces were noticeably missing.
Among the 40-plus contacts acquired by Strikeforce in the recent acquisition of several ProElite assets, the contracts of the ill-fated company's biggest stars -- Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson (3-1) and Gina Carano (7-0) -- remain unsecured.
On Thursday, Strikeforce founder and CEO Scott Coker said he still hopes to bring the two fighters aboard.
Coker was first asked about the enigmatic YouTube-star turned mixed martial artist "Kimbo Slice."
"Kimbo is a very popular star in North America," Coker said. "He's very recognizable, and he did a good job packing the stadiums when he fought.
"Right now there is ongoing dialogue with Kimbo. We'll see how that goes. I could probably answer that better in 14 days."
Slice fought four times for EliteXC in just under one year's time. The former street fighter headlined all but one of the events in which he appeared, though his marketability took a major blow in his 14-second loss to last-second replacement Set Petruzelli in October 2008.
The Strikeforce head was next asked about the status of WAMMA's co-No. 1 female fighter at 145 pounds, Carano.
"With Gina, I think you can equate it to a hold out at camp, so to speak," Coker said. "Camp's started, the game's on, and she's the hold-out."
Coker went on to state he felt positive that the undefeated "Conviction" would ultimately sign with the growing organization.
"These things happen in this business from time to time," Coker said. "We're in dialogue with Matt Walker, [Carano's] agent. I think things are moving forward, and there is good dialogue. We're hoping for the best."
Carano's fellow top-ranked fighter Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos (6-1) has already signed with Strikeforce and is scheduled to meet Hitomi Akano at the April 11 "Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Diaz."
Coker told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) he is hopeful Carano will be signed in time for the organization's still-unofficial May event.
"We're going to invite Gina to fight (in May) if we can put it together," Coker said.
Coker also clarified the current status of Strikeforce's negotiations with MMA legend Kevin Randleman (17-12), recently rumored to have signed with the organization.
"There's nothing signed," Coker said. "Obviously he's got to get licensed.
"We are talking to him, and we're hoping that we can get something done with him and get him back in the cage. But, he's got some licensing issues that he's got to take care of. Our hands are tied."
Randleman has not fought in the U.S. since an October 2006 loss to Mauricio "Shogun" Rua. Following the bout, the Nevada State Athletic Commission found Randleman's urine sample to be missing any human hormones, suggesting the sample came from either a deceased human or non-human donor.
"The Monster" later admitted to submitting a fake sample and was suspended by the NSAC.
Among the 40-plus contacts acquired by Strikeforce in the recent acquisition of several ProElite assets, the contracts of the ill-fated company's biggest stars -- Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson (3-1) and Gina Carano (7-0) -- remain unsecured.
On Thursday, Strikeforce founder and CEO Scott Coker said he still hopes to bring the two fighters aboard.
Coker was first asked about the enigmatic YouTube-star turned mixed martial artist "Kimbo Slice."
"Kimbo is a very popular star in North America," Coker said. "He's very recognizable, and he did a good job packing the stadiums when he fought.
"Right now there is ongoing dialogue with Kimbo. We'll see how that goes. I could probably answer that better in 14 days."
Slice fought four times for EliteXC in just under one year's time. The former street fighter headlined all but one of the events in which he appeared, though his marketability took a major blow in his 14-second loss to last-second replacement Set Petruzelli in October 2008.
The Strikeforce head was next asked about the status of WAMMA's co-No. 1 female fighter at 145 pounds, Carano.
"With Gina, I think you can equate it to a hold out at camp, so to speak," Coker said. "Camp's started, the game's on, and she's the hold-out."
Coker went on to state he felt positive that the undefeated "Conviction" would ultimately sign with the growing organization.
"These things happen in this business from time to time," Coker said. "We're in dialogue with Matt Walker, [Carano's] agent. I think things are moving forward, and there is good dialogue. We're hoping for the best."
Carano's fellow top-ranked fighter Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos (6-1) has already signed with Strikeforce and is scheduled to meet Hitomi Akano at the April 11 "Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Diaz."
Coker told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) he is hopeful Carano will be signed in time for the organization's still-unofficial May event.
"We're going to invite Gina to fight (in May) if we can put it together," Coker said.
Coker also clarified the current status of Strikeforce's negotiations with MMA legend Kevin Randleman (17-12), recently rumored to have signed with the organization.
"There's nothing signed," Coker said. "Obviously he's got to get licensed.
"We are talking to him, and we're hoping that we can get something done with him and get him back in the cage. But, he's got some licensing issues that he's got to take care of. Our hands are tied."
Randleman has not fought in the U.S. since an October 2006 loss to Mauricio "Shogun" Rua. Following the bout, the Nevada State Athletic Commission found Randleman's urine sample to be missing any human hormones, suggesting the sample came from either a deceased human or non-human donor.
"The Monster" later admitted to submitting a fake sample and was suspended by the NSAC.
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