With Strikeforce Challengers 19 headliner Virgil Zwicker succumbing to injury, promotion officials have been on the search for a replacement to face undefeated fighter Lorenz ‘The Monsoon’ Larkin (11-0) at the Vegas event.
On Thursday Sherdog.com was the first to announce Utah fighter Nick ‘Leatherface’ Rossborough (18-13) as Zwicker’s replacement, which was then confirmed by Strikeforce officials later in the day.
The light heavyweights will square off in the main event of Strikeforce Challengers 19 which is set for September 23 at The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main card is set to air on Showtime.
Rossborough has won three straight and is 7-1 in his previous eight bouts. ‘Leatherface’ makes his Strikeforce debut on less than ten-days preparation with 5 (T)KO finishes, 11 submissions, and 2 decision victories to his record. His last fight took place on Sept. 9 in Salt Lake City, Utah with a second round submission win over Hank Weiss in the main event of StealFist Fight Night 2.
Larkin makes his third straight Strikeforce appearance and is undefeated in his pro-career. His last bout took place in June at a previous Challengers show, where he earned a unanimous decision over Gian Villante. ‘The Monsoon’s’ other Strikeforce bout was in April at SF Challengers 15, where he earned a second round win over Scott Lightly. Larkin has won 8 bouts by (T)KO and 3 by decision over his career.