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An acclaimed MMA promotion that was formed in 1988, Strikeforce played host to numerous world-class fighters before being bought out by the UFC's parent company in 2011.
Fighters like Frank Shamrock, Luke Rockhold, Cris Cyborg, Miesha Tate and Ronda Rousey are among those who've won titles in both Strikeforce and the UFC.
However, others have seen UFC gold elude them, even if they were accomplished fighters who claimed a Strikeforce belt at some point in their career. Here are five Strikeforce champions who didn't clinch gold in the UFC.
Honorable Mentions: Gegard Mousasi, Clay Guida, Josh Thomson, Nate Marquardt
#5 Former UFC lightweight Gilbert Melendez
The Strikeforce lightweight belt changed hands four times, and Gilbert Melendez was heavily involved.
Melendez acquired the belt in June 2006 and defended it against Gabe Lemley before being dominated by Josh Thomson. He took his revenge against Thomson before defending it another four times. This reign included a win against Jorge Masvidal and a successful trilogy fight against Thomson.
Melendez joined the UFC at the time of the merger and was awarded an immediate title shot. But he fell short against Benson Henderson, before recovering well in an all-out war with Diego Sanchez. Another title fight awaited 'El Nino', who succumbed to Anthony Pettis this time.
Melendez didn't come close to a UFC title again, losing four more fights on the trot before being released in late 2019.
#4 Former UFC middleweight Ronaldo 'Jacare' Souza
Ronaldo 'Jacare' Souza won the Strikeforce middleweight championship in his third fight with the promotion against Tim Kennedy and defended it against Robbie Lawler. After Luke Rockhold ripped the belt away from him, he won three on the trot and then signed with the UFC.
Souza made a good start to his UFC career, winning his first five fights in the promotion. A controversial loss to Yoel Romero set him back slightly before he went on another two-fight win streak. But the Brazilian never even competed for a UFC title as he lost six of his last eight fights and subsequently retired from MMA.
An accomplished grappler who always treated his opponents with utmost respect, Souza was unlucky to never participate in a UFC championship fight.
#3 Former UFC contender Dan Henderson
The final Strikeforce light heavyweight champion, Dan Henderson beat Rafael Cavalcante to hold the title at the time of the UFC merger. He had already fought in two UFC championship fights before his Strikeforce stint, losing to Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson and Anderson Silva.
Henderson made a return to the UFC for his third spell with the promotion, but it didn't go very well for him. He beat Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua on his comeback, but dropped six of his next nine fights. An undeserved title shot against UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping ensued, largely due to the two men's history, and 'The Count' won by unanimous decision.
Despite three attempts, Henderson was unable to win a title in the UFC. The UFC 17 middleweight tournament remains his only piece of official success under the banner.
#2 Former UFC heavyweight Alistair Overeem
One of the most accomplished heavyweights in MMA history, Alistair Overeem won the Strikeforce heavyweight championship in November 2007 against Paul Buentello. Amidst a series of fights under different banners, he even defended the strap once against Brett Rogers.
In 2011, Overeem joined the UFC amid great fanfare. 'The Demolition Man' dominated Brock Lesnar in his first fight with the promotion but lost three of his next four, leaving him to revive his UFC career. He did just that, winning his next four bouts to book a title date against Stipe Miocic.
But Miocic knocked him out in the very first round, leaving Overeem to repeatedly try and make his way back up the rankings. The Dutchman never won more than two fights on the trot after that, and parted ways with the UFC earlier this year.
#1 Former UFC welterweight title challenger Nick Diaz
Nick Diaz recently made a return to the UFC after a gap of six years and looked completely out of his depth against Robbie Lawler. The Stockton native's UFC career has been marred by controversy and a highly damaging suspension, but he remains a fan favorite and one of the most entertaining fighters in MMA history.
Diaz has competed under various banners in his MMA career, and he held the Strikeforce welterweight championship between January 2010 and April 2011, defending it three times. He then rejoined the UFC, upon which he beat BJ Penn to earn a title shot against Georges St-Pierre.
An injury forced Diaz into an interim title fight against Carlos Condit, which he lost by unanimous decision. He eventually fought St-Pierre, falling to the Canadian via another unanimous decision.
Diaz is now well past his prime, and it's safe to say that he'll never hold a UFC title.
