KJ Noons (7-2) is the latest free agent to be added to the quickly expanding Strikeforce roster, according to Sherdog.com. The former Elite XC lightweight champion agreed to a multi-fight deal earlier today and could make his debut as early as Dec. 19 on the televised "Evolution" event on Showtime.
Noons has been out of mixed martial arts for more than a year after, retiring from the sport in late 2008 after he was stripped of his title for refusing to accept a rematch with Nick Diaz under the terms Elite XC was offering.
"King" felt that his previous performance against Diaz (a first round technical knockout) and his lone title defense -- a first round technical knockout victory over Yves Edwards in June of 2008 -- was enough to at least earn himself a bigger paycheck than Diaz in the rematch.
The promotion, however, apparently disagreed, causing a big mess and ultimately leading to Noons being forced to relinquish his title.
The ex-boxer then decided to make an attempt at a return to his roots inside the square 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 any time soon.
That won't be the case in Strikeforce.
Afterall, how many more times can Josh Thomson and Gilbert Melendez fight each other? Noons left the sport on top of his promotion's division, and a win or two over some of the talented 155 pounders on Strikeforce's roster should put be right back in the thick of the title hunt.
No official date or potential opponent for his return is known at this time. Stay tuned to MMAmania.com -- you'll know when we do.
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