Strikeforce remain determined to put on a major event in January for their last ever show despite injuries to Gilbert Melendez and Luke Rockhold, and after yesterday adding Josh Barnett to the card they’ve now added two more meaningful bouts to the card.
First up, Roger Gracie will continue his foray into middleweight action as he takes on Anthony Smith.
Gracie made a successful start at 185lbs with a win over Keith Jardine in July following a 4-1 stint at light-heavyweight. His next opponent ‘Lionheart’ has far more experience in the MMA cage with an 17-8 record and holds a first round submission win over Lumumba Sayers in his last Strikeforce outing.
Meanwhile, after three victories in a row Ryan Couture will face the toughest test of his fledgling 5-1 career when he takes on Strikeforce veteran KJ Noons.
Noons has had a rough time of it lately, winning just one of his last four fights, but with his losses coming to the likes of Nick Diaz, Jorge Masvidal and Josh Thomson he’s been mixing it up with some of the best Strikeforce has to offer and he’ll be hoping that a victory here will get him back on track and potentially help secure him a place in the UFC.
