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Carano/Cyborg never took place under the EliteXC banner. It was the first matquee match that Strikeforce promoted after EliteXC folded and was actually used to get people to watch and introduce them to Gilbert Melendez and Gegard Mousasi who were both unknown rising stars at the time. the only recognizable names on the card were Renato Sobral (already past his prime) and Fabricio Werdum (considered a UFC washout at this point in his career.)
Rousey has stated that her intent was to get two fights at 135lb to get her more experience before returning to 145ln and facing Cyborg. The WMMA rankings actually feature several women not currently under the Zuffa banner that currently out rank a few of the Strikeforce women. And the talent pool isn't going to grow when there is no destination for them.
Bellator may ultimately be the end game for WMMA with their new TV deal. With no 145 division Cyborg and Carano are left without fight destinations. Both struggle to make 145. They could do for Bellator what they did for Strikeforce once before and you can bet Spike will be hyping the shit out of it to get some messure of revenge on the UFC. It would be a bad image issue for the UFC as well since that fight would surely draw better ratings than UFC on Fuel and maybe even UFC on FX. It won't make them contenders. but it'll solidify their place on the map.