Strikeforce finale hard for founder

Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker spent an emotional Saturday night sending out thank-yous on his seldom-used Twitter account while watching the final event of the MMA promotion he founded in 1985 as a kickboxing organization.

Then, Tarec Saffiedine took the welterweight belt from Nate Marquardt in the main event of the card at Oklahoma City, and it was all over.

An emotional Coker entered the cage to put the epitaph on the Strikeforce gravestone.

"We've done some great work in mixed martial arts, but it's time," Coker said. "It's a tough thing, but I am happy for these guys that fought (Saturday).

"This is the pinnacle of my career."

Strikeforce never was able to fully compete with the Ultimate Fighting Championship and eventually was bought by its rival in early 2011. Strikeforce now will be folded into the UFC.

What the San Jose, Calif.-based organization was able to do was develop stars and provide a viable alternative for fighters who, for various reasons, were cast off by the UFC.

Among those who Coker thanked during his Twitter campaign were Gina Carano, who became a star in the sport before a women's division was even a UFC consideration. Carano's success opened the door for Strikeforce phenom Ronda Rousey, leading to her upcoming UFC debut.

Coker also thanked fighters such as Nick Diaz, Alistair Overeem and Cung Le, longtime Strikeforce properties who moved on to UFC stardom.

He had a special message for Fedor Emelianenko, whom Coker called "the greatest heavyweight of all time." Emelianenko never could come to terms with the UFC, but signed with Strikeforce late in his career, only to find difficulty competing in the United States.

The organization's current stars, who are likely to become UFC fighters, enjoyed success on Saturday. Daniel Cormier, Gegard Mousasi, Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza, Tim Kennedy and Roger Gracie all won, as did Las Vegan Ryan Couture.

Lightweight champ Gilbert Melendez and middleweight champ Luke Rockhold were injured and could not compete.

Coker has said he has an employment contract with the UFC he expects the organization to honor. Details will be learned in the coming weeks.

Coker's feelings on the end of his more than a quarter-century of work on Strikeforce were simple.

"I'm proud of what we accomplished," he said.

■ PETTIS READY FOR FOX - After a year that UFC lightweight contender Anthony Pettis called "frustrating," he is healthy and ready for a better 2013, starting with a matchup against Donald Cerrone on the UFC on Fox 6 card Jan. 26 in Chicago.

Pettis has been out since an 81-second knockout win over Joe Lauzon in February. He had shoulder surgery and was a bystander to a year's worth of developments in one of the UFC's most stacked divisions.

"It's tough being stuck on the sideline with nothing I could do about it," he said. "I was just watching everybody advance their positions in the division and being stuck on the outside looking in."

Besides getting healthy, the year off gave the 25-year-old Pettis time to bond with his 1½-year-old daughter, Aria.

"We're very close," he said. "It's an important year in her life, and that was great to be able to do."

Fatherhood also has helped Pettis achieve peace in his career. He no longer is upset over two promised title fights that never materialized. Nor is Pettis bothered by the uncertainty of whether his fight against Cerrone will determine a challenger to the lightweight belt.

"I'm actually in a happy place. I just realized you fight whatever fight is in front of you and deal with the rest of that stuff later," he said. "Just be happy. That's what it's all about. I'm a professional fighter. That's what I've always wanted to do, so I'm just enjoying it."

■ JONES BOWL - No matter what happens in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday at Foxborough, Mass., UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones probably will be attending the Super Bowl.

Jones' older brother Arthur is a defensive end for the Baltimore Ravens, and younger brother Chandler plays the same position for the New England Patriots.

Jones said on Twitter he will attend Sunday's game.

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow him on Twitter: @adamhilllvrj.