Strikeforce Rising Star James Terry

As the war for established talent continues to heat up between Strikeforce and the UFC, the development of young talent could be key in the future continued success of both companies.

Among the next generation of stars coming up through the Strikeforce ranks is welterweight Cung Le product James Terry.

A former champion in the smaller Cage Combat promotion, Terry debuted for Strikeforce earlier this year, and has won both his fights for the company, including a second straight victory over Zak Bucia on the undercard of the Aug. 15 Showtime: Carano vs. Cyborg.

“I thought I performed well,” Terry told MMAWeekly.com of his win. “I didn’t get injured, and my opponent didn’t get injured. I won with a spectacular knockout, so I’m excited.”

As Terry points out, while he’s happy his performance made him a standout for the evening, it was just as important to get a win like that for the sake of his career.

“I think definitely it’s important at Strikeforce for me to impress the promoters, but at the same time, in my career I’ve had just five decisions in seven wins. For me in Strikeforce, my future there and in my career to grow as a fighter (it was important) to get that finish,” he stated.

“Show myself that I can be confident in my striking, because if I am confident, look what happens.”

Terry hopes to return to action before the end of the year against increasingly difficult opposition, like who he was originally slated to face on Aug. 15.

“I have a contract for two more fights with Strikeforce, but nothing was discussed who my future opponent would be,” commented Terry.

“I was supposed to fight Jason Von Flue, but it was changed at the last minute because he broke his orbital bone in a previous fight like three weeks before the Strikeforce event. Maybe if he heals up, I’ll fight him, but really I honestly haven’t heard anything.”

Terry reiterates that it’s time for him to take the next step up, so it may be tougher competition or nothing in his mind.

“I don’t know who the up and coming fighters are in my weight class,” he admitted. “I focus on myself and the things I’m going to do.

“I obviously know the top-notch guys in Strikeforce from 170-180 (pounds), and I’m definitely looking to step it up and fight tougher competition and get up to the big show where I’m fighting in main events for title contention.”

The coming years could begin to see the shift of veteran fighters stepping away from the spotlight and the next generation stepping into it.

If Strikeforce wishes continued success if that future comes true, it will need the services of Terry and his contemporaries.

“I’d like to thank BR Flooring, Ameritech Capital, Key Chiropractic, MTP Release, and GFY Gear,” he concluded. “I’ll be back this year and looking to improve on the performance I had in my last fight, and I’m going to step up in competition as well.”
MMAWeekly.com

UFC 102: Couture vs. Nogueira
Date: Aug 29, 2009
Location: Portland, Ore.
Venue: Rose Garden
Broadcast: Pay-per-view

MAIN CARD

* Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira def. Randy Couture via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
* Thiago Silva def. Keith Jardine via TKO (strikes) - Round 1, 1:35
* Jake Rosholt def. Chris Leben via technical submission (arm-triangle choke) - Round 3, 1:30
* Nate Marquardt def. Demian Maia via knockout (punch) - Round 1, 0:21
* Brandon Vera def. Krzysztof Soszynski via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

PRELIMINARY CARD

* Aaron Simpson def. Ed Herman via TKO (injury) - Round 2, 0:17
* Gabriel Gonzaga def. Chris Tuchscherer via TKO (punches) - Round 1, 4:27
* Mike Russow def. Justin McCully via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-26, 30-27)
* Todd Duffee def. Tim Hague via knockout (punches) - Round 1, 0:07
* Mark Munoz def. Nick Catone via split decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)
* Evan Dunham def. Marcus Aurelio via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27

UFC 102 fighters salaries: Nogueira ($400K) and Couture ($250K) top $1.285 million payroll
by MMAjunkie.com Staff on Aug 31, 2009 at 8:35 am ET
Headliners Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira ($400,000) and Randy Couture ($250,000) were the top earners at this past Saturday's UFC 102 event and combined for 51 percent of the night's $1,285,000 payroll.

MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) requested the event's official fighters salaries, and the Oregon State Athletic Commission recently released them.

UFC 102 took place Aug. 29 at the Rose Garden Arena in Portland, Ore., and aired on pay-per-view.

The next-highest earner actually came from the night's preliminary card. Former top UFC heavyweight contender Gabriel Gonzaga earned $120, 000 ($60,000 of which was a win bonus). Gonzaga defeated UFC newcomer Chris Tuchscherer in an un-aired bout.

Te full disclosed payroll for UFC 102 included:

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira: $400,000 (includes $150,000 bonus)
def. Randy Couture: $250,000

Thiago Silva: $58,000 ($29,000 win bonus)
def. Keith Jardine: $55,000

Jake Rosholt: $26,000 ($13,000 win bonus)
def. Chris Leben: $30,000

Nate Marquardt: $80,000 ($40,000 win bonus)
def. Demian Maia: $28,000

Brandon Vera: $70,0000 ($35,000 win bonus)
def. Krzysztof Soszynski: $8,000

Aaron Simpson: $18,000 ($9,000 win bonus)
def. Ed Herman: $24,000

Gabriel Gonzaga: $120,000 ($60,000 win bonus)
def. Chris Tuchscherer: $10,000

Mike Russow: $20,000 ($10,000 win bonus)
def. Justin McCully: $15,000

Todd Duffee: $10,000 ($5,000 win bonus)
def. Tim Hague: $7,000

Mark Munoz: $24,000 ($12,000 win bonus)
def. Nick Catone: $5,000

Evan Dunham: $14,000 ($7,000 win bonus)
def. Marcus Aurelio: $13,000

Now, the usual disclaimer: The figures do not include deductions for items such as insurance, licenses and taxes. Additionally, the figures do not include money paid by sponsors, which can oftentimes be a substantial portion of a fighter's income. They also do not include any other "locker room" or special bonuses the UFC oftentimes pays.

For example, as discussed above, the figures above do not include the UFC's traditional "fight night" bonuses. The UFC awarded $60,000 each to Nogueira and Couture (Fight of the Night), Marquardt (KO of the Night) and Rosholt (Submission of the Night).

In other words, the above salary figures are simply base salaries reported to the commission and do not reflect entire compensation packages for the event.

MMAjunkie.com

Randy Couture to End Career With UFC

"Captain America" will finish his storied mixed martial arts career with the UFC.

On the same day of his fight at UFC 102, Randy Couture inked a new deal with the UFC that will call for six more fights in the span of 28 months. Under his previous contract, he would have had only one fight left after Saturday's fight against Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.

At 46 years of age, there's no certainty that Couture will fulfill all six fights, but the UFC Hall of Famer reiterated that he approaches each step of his fight career on a fight-by-fight basis.

"I'm going to take it one fight at a time, the same way I did 12 years ago when I started this thing, and we'll see where that goes," said Couture, who added that it is too soon to tell if his next fight would be at heavyweight or light heavyweight.

Couture opened his career with the UFC in May 1997, winning the UFC 13 heavyweight tournament, and he plans on fighting his last fight with the same company he began it with.

"I think things being the way they are this is the place to be," Couture said. "I intend to finish my career here with the UFC. "
Posted by Ray Hui

When FanHouse spoke to Strikeforce CEO and founder Scott Coker at the Fedor Emelianenko public workout in New York City on Wednesday, we touched on many topics. What was the thought process behind booking Emelianenko versus Brett Rogers? When and where will this fight take place? And which fights will be on the undercard?

Coker also talked about why his partnership with M-1 Global will work, his current relationship with the UFC and when we should expect to see Gina Carano and Cris Cyborg fight again. Check out the full video interview below.
Posted by Ariel Helwani