Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE
Now that Strikeforce has called it quits, a boatload of mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters are looking for a place to call home. Here's the current list of those lucky enough to find one.
The invasion has begun.
Now that Strikeforce is dead and buried following last weekend's "Marquardt vs. Saffiedine" event on Showtime (see it here), it's time for Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) to sift through the rubble and pick out the talent it plans to absorb for its 2013 fight campaign.
The confirmed list of Strikeforce fighters signed to UFC (so far) courtesy of UFC Tonight on FUEL TV:
Daniel Cormier (11-0)
Gegard Mousasi (33-3-2)
Gian Villante (10-3)
Roger Gracie (6-1)
Tim Kennedy (15-4)
Lorenz Larkin (13-0)
Luke Rockhold (10-1)
Ronaldo Souza (17-3)
Roger Bowling (11-3)
Jason High (16-3)
Nate Marquardt (32-11-2)
Tarec Saffiedine (14-3)
Bobby Voelker (24-8)
Ryan Couture (6-1)
Pat Healy (29-16)
Kurt Holobaugh (8-1)
Adriano Martins (24-6)
Gilbert Melendez (21-2)
K.J. Noons (11-6)
Josh Thomson (19-5)
Conspicuously absent is top 10 heavyweight Josh Barnett. Perhaps this post explains why?
As expected, Gilbert Melendez, who held the 155-pound strap in Strikeforce, will get an immediate title shot against UFC Lightweight Champion Ben Henderson at the UFC on FOX 7 event on April 20, 2013 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California.
That's not all.
In the co-main event, Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Champion Daniel Cormier will lock horns with former UFC 265-pound kingpin Frank Mir, right in "DC's" backyard, which also happens to be the home of his camp and famed mixed martial arts (MMA) gym, American Kickboxing Academy (AKA).
Expect more match-ups to be announced in the coming weeks.
Alright fight fans, this is what we have to work with so far. Any names on this list surprise you? And what other bouts would you like to see now that Strikeforce has been absorbed by its big brother?
Sound off!
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