Two international destinations are on the radar for Strikeforce's upcoming heavyweight grand-prix tournament. Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker this past week told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio) that both Ontario, Canada, and Tokyo are under consideration as host cities for the Showtime-televised competition, which kicks off Feb. 12 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J.
"This is a world grand-prix tournament, which means we might not just be in the United States," Coker said. "This thing could be traveling."
Coker said invitations have been extended to the promotion by interests in Ontario, which is set to host its first MMA event on April 2 following the provincial government's decision to sanction the sport this past August. UFC 129, set for April 30, likely will break North American attendance records as the province's first big-ticket event.
The Feb. 12 event, "Strikeforce and M-1 Global: Fedor vs. Silva," hosts the first part of tournament's quarterfinal round and three reserve matches. It's the only location set in stone, though sources have told MMAjunkie.com that Chicago, St. Louis and Nashville. Tenn., also have been discussed as domestic locations for future tournament events.
Until it partnered with Showtime in April 2009, Strikeforce primarily was a California-based show. Since then, the promotion has traveled across the U.S. with major events, as well as its prospect-driven Challengers series, and visited such states as Missouri, Tennessee, Washington and Oregon.
Coker, however, enjoys a longstanding relationship with promoters in Japan. Prior to his work in MMA, he served as the U.S. promoter when Fighting and Entertainment Group (FEG) held several K-1 events in Las Vegas. Strikeforce now has a formal alliance with FEG's current MMA promotion, DREAM, and frequently shares talent.
While Coker said it's too early to give any specifics on an international show, the promotion definitely wants to expand its borders.
"We're working on a lot of details," he said.
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