UFC buys Strikeforce presser audio: The fates of Barnett, Daley and female fighting still up in the air

Lorenzo Fertitta, Dana White and Scott Coker addressed the media today for 40 minutes about the UFC's shocking purchase of Strikeforce that was announced over the weekend. They answered tons of questions and yet many remained unanswered . You can't blame the three-some, the future for Strikeforce under the UFC umbrella is still very much in the works.

Dana White was asked about fighters who been jettisoned from the promotion and aren't particularly big fans of his, like Paul Daley and Josh Barnett.The UFC president was diplomatic in his response.

"There's a lot of people on that side of the fence that aren't big fans of mine. We can still do business, Scott Coker is the guy who's going to be running the day-to-day and doing everything. They're never going to have to deal with me," White said. "It's not� a big deal. Any of the other guys they can deal with Lorenzo. If you don't like me that doesn't mean we can't do business."

Fertitta chimed in:

"At the end of the day it's important for everybody to stay professional," Fertitta said. "These guys are professional athletes. They have signed contracts. We're going to live up to our obligations and honor out obligations. I think it's important for them to honor and live up to their obligations as well."

He said the same thing during an MMAFighting.com interview released on Saturday about his contentious relationship with Strikeforce's television partner Showtime.

White isn't a big fan of female fighting. His thoughts on female fighting has not changed.

"They're the same as they were before," White chuckled. "That's Scott's deal, not mine."

Other key points covered included:

*According to Fertitta, Strikeforce's Showtime deal runs until 2014. Some media reports said the deal was finished as soon as early 2012.

*Strikeforce cards will fall under the unified rules. Currently, elbows to a grounded opponent are banned. That should change in time for Apr. 9 Strikeforce card in San Diego.

*Coker, the current Strikeforce CEO, does NOT have an equity stake now in the UFC

*The UFC will give its input on the Showtime broadcasts, but the network has final say on all production decisions. That includes the announcing teams currently calling the fights for the pay network.

*There is a possibility that the UFC might recommend that the conclusion of Strikeforce's heavyweight Grand Prix is a pay-per-view event.

We've also posted parts two, three and four.

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