Although a pair of title tilts headlines Saturday’s “Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal” extravaganza, not too much hoopla surrounds the Showtime broadcast. In any event, the UFC’s little brother has confirmed nine bouts for this weekend’s show.
The event’s main card is set, but it’s possible the promotion could add some last-minute preliminary scraps.
Women’s middleweight champ Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos defends her crown against Hiroko Yamanaka in the night’s co-featured contest, while lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez puts his belt up for grabs when he faces Jorge Masvidal in the main event.
Former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Gegard Mousasi will also battle Ovince St. Preux.
The card takes place inside the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, California. Showtime will air the main bouts at 10PM ET/PT.
Here are the athletes slated to appear in the show:
Preliminary Bouts:
Jerron Peoples vs. Roger Bowling
Devin Cole vs. Gabriel Salinas-Jones
Fernando Gonzalez vs. Eddie Mendez
Herman Terrado vs. Chris Brown
Justin Wilcox vs. Caros Fodor
Main Bouts:
K.J. Noons vs. Billy Evangelista
Gegard Mousasi vs. Ovince St. Preux
Hiroko Yamanaka vs. Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos (Strikeforce Women’s Middleweight Champion)
Jorge Masvidal vs Gilbert Melendez (Strikeforce Lightweight Champion)