Now that “UFC Fight Night 24” is officially in the record books, let’s take a look ahead to MMA’s next major event, the monumental “Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley” show inside the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, California. The April 9th card marks Strikeforce’s first production under Zuffa, LLC’s ownership.
A pair of spectacular championship affairs will headline the Showtime broadcast.
Lightweight king Gilbert Melendez will put his crown on the line against Japanese star Tatsuya Kawajiri in the card’s co-featured contest, while welterweight champ Nick Diaz defends his belt against Paul Daley in the night’s main event.
Just in case you were wondering, UFC president Dana White is not scheduled to be in attendance. #BusinessAsUsual
Here are the fighters expected to participate in the star-studded card:
Preliminary Bouts:
Saad Awad vs. Joe Duarte
Casey Ryan vs. Paul Song
Edgar Cardenas vs. Rolando Perez
Takaya Hiroyuki vs. Robert PeraltaMain Bouts:
Shinya Aoki vs. Lyle Beerbohm
Gegard Mousasi vs. Mike Kyle
Tatsuya Kawajiri vs. Gilbert Melendez (Strikeforce Lightweight Champion)
Paul Daley vs. Nick Diaz (Strikeforce Welterweight Champion)* – Only the main card has been officially confirmed by Strikeforce