Looks like former Elite XC lightweight champion KJ Noons (8-2) won't be getting that rematch against Charles Bennett after all.
First reported by MMAWeekly, "King Karl" has confirmed with MMAmania.com that "Krazy Horse" has been removed from the promotion's June 26 card for "undisclosed reasons" and that fellow Elite XC veteran Conor Heun (8-3) has agreed to step up and take his place at the Strikeforce: "Los Angeles" event slated for the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on June 16.
Bennett was previously booked to appear opposite Luis Palomino at the "Rock-N-Rumble III" event tomorrow night (June 4) in Hollywood, FL; however, neither promotion was immediately available for comment on Bennett's status.
Noons recently returned to mixed martial arts after more than a year when he took a unanimous decision from Andre Amado at DREAM 13 back in March.
It was his first bout since "retiring" from the sport in late 2008 after he was stripped of his 155-pound title for refusing to accept a rematch with Nick Diaz under the terms Elite XC was offering.
The ex-boxer made an attempt to return to his roots inside the ring, but a disappointing decision loss to James Countryman earlier this year threw a wrench into those plans. The City Boxing product did manage to put together a solid record of 4-1 as a pugilist, but he likely wasn't going to be winning a world title anytime soon.
That may not be the case in Strikeforce -- unless of course Huen has anything to say about it.
"Hurricane" made his Strikeforce debut under the "Challengers" banner, dropping a unanimous decision to Jorge Gurgel in an all-out war back in June 2009.
It was his only fight since Elite XC closed their doors in late 2008.
The June 26 event is set to air at 10 p.m. ET live on Showtime and will feature Fedor Emelianenko taking on grappling wizard Fabricio Werdum in the main event. Current Strikeforce Women's Champion Cristian 'Cyborg' Santos will also be in action against Jan "Cuddles" Finney.
For more on Strikeforce: "Fedor vs. Werdum" click here.