Strikeforce women’s tournament veteran Maiju “Mai” Kujala will return to action on July 9th when she faces unbeaten prospect Simona Soukupova at Cage Warriors Fighting Championship 43 in North London, England. Verbal agreements are currently in place for the 117-pound catchweight bout.

MMARising.com confirmed plans for the matchup with a source close to the promotion today. Kujala enters the fight after Soukupova’s originally targeted opponent, Lisa Higo, withdrew from the card. Kujala most recently picked up a TKO victory in March, while Soukupova won both of her fights in 2010.

Kujala (5-3-0) made her professional debut on September 5, 2009 in her native Finland and stopped Poland’s Paulina “Pika” Suska with punches in the first round. She would go on to win three of her next four fights, with the lone blemish coming in a November 2009 loss to Bellator veteran and new NAAFS champion Aisling “Ais The Bash” Daly. Kujala then moved up in weight for the 2010 Upcoming Glory tournament last March for an opportunity to receive a contract with Strikeforce.

After winning the 135-pound bracket of the Upcoming Glory tournament, Kujala made her Strikeforce debut in August, but dropped a close decision to Miesha “Takedown” Tate in the opening round of the abbreviated Strikeforce women’s tournament. She suffered another decision loss in November, but rallied back with a first-round stoppage of Emma Watson at Fight Festival 30 on March 12th. Kujala has never been stopped in eight career bouts to date.

Soukupova (2-0-0) fought twice in 2010 and earned stoppage wins in both outings. She debuted in March with a first-round corner stoppage of Lisa Newton and returned to competition in November. Facing Jewels veteran Celine Haga, Soukupova finished her more experienced opponent with punches in the second round. The native of England had planned to make her North American debut against Jessica “Jag” Aguilar in February, but was forced to withdraw on short notice after suffering an injury.

With the fighters earning a combined five knockout wins to date, the July matchup could potentially turn into a striking battle, though Kujala has also demonstrated a competent ground game and will bring a significant experience edge into the fight.

Cage Warriors Fighting Championship 43 takes place on July 9th at the HMV Forum in Kentish Town, North London, England. The event will also feature a five-round title fight between Rosi “The Surgeon” Sexton and Sheila “The German Tank” Gaff, which will determine the new Cage Warriors Women’s Super Flyweight Champion.

(Photo Credit: Esther Lin, AllElbows.com)