By MATT MOLGAARD
MMANEWS.COM Staff Writer

It’s looking like Dana White’s claim that Strikeforce would continue to function as a separate entity from the UFC may not be wholly true. While nothing has been set in stone, we’re already seeing the slow trickle effect, as Nick Diaz, current Strikeforce welterweight champion, will make his way back to the UFC in October. The brash Stockton rep will meet UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre in one of the divisions most anticipated fights in history.

While we’re not yet privy to much other news of promotional crossovers, rumors have also been circulating around Alistair Overeem and his inevitable trek to the UFC (something we'll likely see by early 2012). It’s hard to solidify those rumors as genuine facts, especially when you consider Overeem’s participation in the Strikeforce heavyweight tournament, but if public speculation holds any weight whatsoever, this tidbit of information is likely true.

Pulling two of Strikeforce’s largest draws practically ensures the proverbial nail hits the San Jose based promotion's coffin sooner rather than later.

I thoroughly enjoy Strikeforce, but I must acknowledge that the official merging of the two promotions will eliminate any true form of competition the UFC currently faces. Doing so also further outlines the clear monopolization that Dana White and company have been working towards for years.

That’s not necessarily a bad thing, and just about every major sport in the world has already proven that one significant league makes for less confusion, more exposure, and ultimately, opens the door to a whole slew of new possibilities for fans. Football fans follow the NFL; baseball fans follow MLB; basketball, NBA, and so on.

Perhaps it’s time for MMA fans to begin their full-fledged dedication to an official league, and embrace the UFC for the powerhouse it’s become.

How much longer Strikeforce exists as a functioning promotion is questionable, but the talent pool competing under the banner isn’t, particularly in the heavyweight division. It’s this reason that I now take a look at five compelling matches between some of the best big boys Strikeforce and the UFC have to offer.