Tarec Saffiedine Unsure of UFC Future Even with Main Event Status in Strikeforce

As the final Strikeforce show approaches on Saturday night, there appears to be a lot of uncertainty for many of the fighters outside of Daniel Cormier and Nate Marquardt, who have already been told they have a future in the UFC.

The rest of the roster of fighters haven’t been granted the same kind of amnesty, so this final card has truly become “win or go home” for most of the fighters competing on Saturday night.

Main event fighter Tarec Saffiedine may even be included in that list because, to his knowledge, he hasn’t been guaranteed anything beyond his fight against Nate Marquardt, although his plan is to win and solidify his spot in the Octagon.

“I don’t really know what’s coming after Strikeforce. I haven’t been approached by the UFC, but hopefully we’ll go there. That’s hopefully going to be the case,” Saffiedine told MMAWeekly Radio.

The promise of a UFC contract with a win in Strikeforce’s final show is a pretty good carrot at the end of the stick for all of the fighters competing on Saturday. Saffiedine is no different and admits the attraction of a spot on the UFC roster should motivate every fighter.

“It’s definitely something that motivates the fighters that a big win would be a jump in their career and that’s definitely the case for me,” said Saffiedine.

Despite the fact that Saffiedine will compete for a title, the bigger part of the win for him may be beating someone like Nate Marquardt. If he can defeat the former UFC middleweight contender, it will automatically give Saffiedine a lot of momentum as he heads to the new promotion.

As much as he wants to wrap the title around his waist, just hours later Strikeforce will be dead, and Saffiedine would be headed to the UFC as just another contender, but a contender with a win over Nate Marquardt.

“Nate is a big name in the MMA world. He’s been around for a long time, he’s been around fighting for titles, and most of his career was at 185, but even though he dropped to 170, he’s still a big name to fight and to beat,” said Saffiedine.

“I’m really excited for the title, but at the same time I’m really excited going against Nate. Unfortunately, Strikeforce will be gone, but the value of the belt will still be huge, but a win over Nate is even bigger.”

The only way Saffiedine knows he’s punched his ticket to the UFC is to beat Marquardt, so that’s the plan and everything else will just be a bonus.

Stay tuned to MMAWeekly.com for the latest Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine news and fight coverage.