(Dude, we know. We know.)
Now that Strikeforce’s future is looking brighter, the promotion has gone ahead and officially announced their January 7th card in Las Vegas, which will be headlined by Luke Rockhold vs. Keith Jardine, fighting for the middleweight title. Two more Strikeforce stars have been added to the lineup, against opponents with significantly less name value.
First up, former light-heavyweight champion Muhammad “King Mo” Lawal will face off against undefeated up-and-comer Lorenz “The Monsoon” Larkin, whose 12-0 record includes three wins at Strikeforce Challengers events. Mo last competed in September, when he scored a first-round knockout against Roger Gracie. The winner of this fight could very well earn a shot at TBA for Strikeforce’s vacant 205-pound strap.
Back in the middleweight division, Robbie Lawler will try to snap his two-fight losing streak against Chechen fighter Adlan Amagov (9-0-1, 2-0 in Strikeforce Challengers bouts), who’s perhaps best known for this spinning hook-kick knockout. Lawler has lost three out of his last four fights, most recently a decision to Tim Kennedy in July, so he’ll need a good showing if he wants to keep his Zuffa contract.
A welterweight bout between Tarec Saffiedine and Tyler Stinson has also been announced for the event. I’mma be straight with you guys: As it stands now, this card is a dog with extra fleas. On the other hand, a few of Strikeforce’s contracted fighters will be able to pay off their holiday bills, and that’s as close to happy ending as you’re going to get in this sport.
Related: Josh Barnett vs. Daniel Cormier may close out the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix in March.