Two additional women’s bouts have been officially added to the upcoming Strikeforce: “Fedor vs Henderson” card on July 30th in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. Olympic bronze medallist “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey will face Sarah “The Monster” D’Alelio, while Alexis Davis takes on Julie “Fireball” Kedzie.
The promotion confirmed both fights earlier today. MMAWeekly.com first reported on the Davis-Kedzie bout last week. Davis had been scheduled to rematch Shayna “The Queen of Spades” Baszler for The Cage Inc. on the same night, but that fight was scrapped when she signed with Strikeforce.
Rousey (2-0-0) has yet to have a fight last one minute. All five of her victories to date, including two as a professional, have ended via armbar submission in less than 60 seconds. Three of those fights have ended in 25 seconds or less, including Rousey’s pro debut against Ediane “India” Gomes in March. The judoka has thus far made MMA look easy with quick takedowns and transitions to submissions, and will now make her long-awaited Strikeforce debut against a motivated opponent who has also been waiting for a chance to showcase her skills in the promotion.
D’Alelio (4-1-0) has endured a rollercoaster in recent months. First scheduled to face former Strikeforce title challenger Gina “Conviction” Carano on June 18th, D’Alelio found herself without an opponent after Carano was abruptly forced off of the card due to failed medicals. Strikeforce officials attempted to put together a fight between D’Alelio and Rousey at the time, but Rousey remained under contract for a June 17th bout in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. D’Alelio will now compete for Strikeforce at last, and will look to rebound from the first defeat of her career.
Davis (9-4-0) has alternated wins and losses in her last six fights, but has consistently faced the top fighters in the 135-pound division. The reigning Raging Wolf champion fought Baszler to a razor-thin decision loss last March and had been set to challenge for Baszler’s TCI championship on July 30th, but opted to sign on with Strikeforce instead. As a skilled jiu-jitsu practitioner, Davis should hold an advantage on the ground against Kedzie, who has been submitted in six of her credited losses to date and will also make her first appearance for Strikeforce.
Kedzie (16-8-0)* also endured a rough month of June, as she was pulled from the June 18th card as well after her opponent, Brazilian standout Amanda “Lioness of the Ring” Nunes, suffered a foot injury and withdrew from the event. Currently training with the renowned Jackson’s Mixed Martial Arts team, Kedzie famously faced Carano in a Showtime-televised bout for EliteXC in early 2007 and dropped a hard-fought decision. She has won 10 times since and will once again return to Showtime television when she competes for Strikeforce for the first time.
*Kedzie brings a credited four-fight winning streak into her Strikeforce debut, though the result of her September 24, 2010 Ultimate Women Challenge bout remains under wraps due to ongoing litigation.
Strikeforce: “Fedor vs Henderson” takes place on July 30th at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. The event is headlined by a heavyweight bout between former PRIDE champions Fedor Emelianenko and Dan “Hendo” Henderson, and also features a Strikeforce Women’s Welterweight Championship fight between Marloes “Rumina” Coenen and Miesha “Takedown” Tate.
[…] (4-1-0) will make their promotional debuts in the August fight and both have experienced delays on the way to their new home in Strikeforce. Rousey has thus far racked up five mixed martial arts […]