Above is the audio of Thursday's media call to announce Strikeforce's new contract with Showtime Sports. Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker, UFC President Dana White, and Executive Vice President & General Manager of Showtime Sports Stephen Espinoza are featured on the panel.
Much of the call is spent with the trio detailing the new deal and Strikeforce's plans for 2012. The promotion is targeting eight events for the upcoming year, starting with Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine on January 7th. Undercards will now be aired live on Showtime Extreme.
In addition, plans are in place to disband the Strikeforce heavyweight division following the Heavyweight Grand Prix, and one final contest where the tournament winner fights a "top-rated heavyweight".
"Heavyweight divisions aren't deep enough to create this huge division," White explained. "So we're going to focus on the divisions that are strong."
The Strikeforce Challenger series is also likely on the chopping block. For a complete rundown of the new deal, visit MMA Nation's Strikeforce/Showtime conference call StoryStream.