DREAM featherweight champion Hiroyuki “Streetfight Bancho” Takaya (15-8-1) has been added to the upcoming April 9, Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley which was confirmed by Strikeforce Director of Communications Mike Afromowitz.
Afromowitz informed Sherdog.com on Saturday, noting that Takaya would fight on the preliminary card against Robert Peralta (13-3), who also makes his Strikeforce debut, in a non-title bout.
Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley is set to take place at the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, Calif. on April 9 and will mark the first event under Zuffa management. The four bout main card will air on the Showtime network. The event features two title bouts as welterweight champ Nick Diaz defends his title against British striker Paul “Semtex” Daley, and lightweight champ Gilbert Melendez meets Japans Tatsuya Kawajiri in the co-main event.
Takaya earned the DREAM featherweight title on New Years Eve at the last big show in Japan, Dynamite!! 2010, where he earned a unanimous decision over Bibiano Fernandes. The win was his third in a row, and puts the Japanese fighter at 3-2 in his last five. The San Diego bout marks the first time since 2008, that he’s fought in North America, after a two loss appearance with the WEC.
Peralta, a Gladiator Challenge veteran, carries a six fight win streak into the cage and is 11-1 in his last twelve bouts. The San Diego native has shown some heavy hands by winning 11 of his 13 victories by (T)KO. Peralta took his last fight on February 20th winning a second round submission win at a Gladiator Challenge – Legends Collide 2 event.