Three weeks after stating intentions to leave Strikeforce and possibly retire, Erin Toughill has reconsidered and now plans to stay with the promotion. Citing “basic miscommunications” which have since been resolved, Toughill plans to remain on the Strikeforce roster and aims to return soon.

Strikeforce representative and fighter liaison Shannon Knapp was said to be instrumental in bringing the two sides together in correcting issues that resulted in a frustrated Toughill contemplating retirement in March. She will take time off and intends to fight for Strikeforce later in the year.

Toughill (10-2-1) posted a message on her Facebook page on March 18th that listed a series of grievances with Strikeforce. The outspoken veteran of both mixed martial arts and boxing stated that she could no longer work in the conditions around her and hinted that retirement could be a possibility. In a follow-up statement today, Toughill attributed the prior issues to miscommunications both on the part of Strikeforce and of Toughill’s own communications team.

Now dealing directly with Shannon Knapp and Strikeforce, Toughill emphasised that this has helped the process tremendously. She looks forward to becoming an even better fighter by the time she steps into a Strikeforce cage for the first time, but intends to take a break from training to refocus. Strikeforce Women’s Middleweight (145-Pound) Champion Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos is expected to defend her title in June, but Toughill will likely have to wait until later in the year to challenge the champion.

With the 145-pound female ranks running thin in Strikeforce, Toughill is one of the few threats left for Santos’s crown and is valued accordingly, but it remains to be seen how the past disagreements will impact her future with the promotion.

(Photo Credit: Sherdog.com)