It appears that the Strikeforce promotion is eager to get former light heavyweight champ Rafael “Feijão” Cavalcante (10-3) back into the cage after losing his title to Dan Henderson at this past weekends Columbus, Ohio event.
A report from MMARising.com has Strikeforce working to put together a bout between Cavalcante, and undefeated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ace Roger Gracie (4-0), for the promotions upcoming Strikeforce: Dallas event on June 18.
The website confirmed the news with a source close to the promotion, noting that before any agreement is signed to meet Cavalcante, that Gracie first wants to secure a new contract with Strikeforce since he’s currently on the last fight of his existing deal.
It would certainly be an interesting matchup between a solid striker in “Feijão” who would meet one of the most decorated BJJ practitioners in the world.
Many thought that Gracie’s last mma bout, against Trevor Prangley at last January’s Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Cyborg event, would prove a significant test meeting a longtime veteran with a solid record. In the end, Gracie would make short work of the Shark Fights champ by submitting him at 4:19 of the first round. Gracie has fought once in 2011, and once in 2010 as part of his light heavyweight debut, he submitted Kevin Randleman in the second round of that bout.
Cavalcante had a three fight win streak stopped after newly crowned light heavyweight champ Henderson stopped him in the third round by TKO to take the Strikeforce belt from him. “Feijão” won the title in his previous fight, TKOing Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal at Strikeforce: Houston in August of last year. He is 3-2 under the Strikeforce banner.
Strikeforce: Dallas will host the second set of quarterfinal tournament bouts for Strikeforce’s Heavyweight World Grand Prix and is expected to take place at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Quarterfinal bouts include matches between Strikeforce heavyweight champ Alistair Overeem vs. Fabricio Werdum, and Josh Barnett vs. Brett Rogers.