Will UFC put its stamp on Strikeforce show?

UFC officials have promised to maintain each organization’s independence — with “business as usual,” as UFC president Dana White said.

But will that really be the case? After all, we’ve already seen some changes.

During this past weekend’s minor Strikeforce Challengers show, the UFC axed Strikeforce’s longtime ban of elbow strikes. It had been the one major rules difference between the two organizations.

Additionally, the UFC’s public-relations staff is taking a more active role in the event logistics. There’s also chatter officials may eliminate Strikeforce’s customary walkout ramp and pyrotechnics — which also helped differentiate the two promotions.

Of course, the UFC’s backing does come with plenty of perks, as well. Through its website, social-media sites and TV commercials, the UFC has put its marketing muscle behind the Strikeforce show. Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker said some simple “Diaz vs. Daley” commercials during a recent UFC pay-per-view broadcast paid immediate dividends.

“I think they definitely made an impact on ticket sales,” said Coker, who expects the show to draw between 8,000 and 10,000 fans.

Cincinnati native Wilcox wins

In the headliner of Strikeforce Challengers 15, Cincinnati native Justin Wilcox (11-3) scored a first-round TKO of lightweight Rodrigo Damm (9-5).

The Friday fight, which moved Wilcox to 10-1 over his past 11 bouts, aired on Showtime from Stockton Arena in California.

It was a pivotal fight for Wilcox, who should graduate to Strikeforce’s bigger (and better-paying) “Arena Series” shows with the win. A few years ago, the former NCAA Division I wrestler sold his Cincinnati gym and moved to the American Kickboxing Academy, a world-famous MMA gym in San Jose, Calif., for training.

His previous MMA earnings were minimal, and Wilcox’s wife and daughter now live with a friend (UFC fighter Josh Koscheck) three hours away in Fresno. Wilcox spends weekends with them, but the other five days are spent living in a spare room above the gym. But with his latest victory and the likelihood of better paydays, he now can find a San Jose apartment for the whole family.

Dann Stupp is editor-in-chief of MMAjunkie.com, voted best media outlet in the 2008, 2009 and 2010 World MMA Awards. For the latest mixed-martial-arts news, go to mmajunkie.com.