Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Josh Barnett will return to mixed martial arts action for DREAM in Japan. The embattled fighter, nicknamed “The Babyfaced Assassin,” has been left without a fight since testing positive for steroids for the third time last summer. MMAWeekly.com was first to report on the signing.
Barnett, whose appeal to the California State Athletic Commission to reinstate his fighter licence was recently postponed for the fourth time, is reportedly eyeing a spot on the March 22nd Dream.13 card.
Over two years after he first captured the title, Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion Alistair “Demolition Man” Overeem will make his long-awaited return to the promotion against Brett “The Grim” Rogers on May 15th. While not yet signed, Overeem confirmed plans for the bout in an exclusive interview with MMAjunkie.com today.
Following weeks of rumours, multiple sources have confirmed plans for Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Gilbert “El Niño” Melendez to battle DREAM Lightweight Champion Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki in a 155-pound superfight on CBS. The fight has not yet been officially confirmed for the April 17th event, but an announcement is expected later today or tomorrow.
Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion Gegard “The Dreamcatcher” Mousasi will defend his title on April 17th against rising star Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal. MMAWeekly.com first reported on the bout, which has since been confirmed by multiple sources.
Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei “The Pitbull” Arlovski has signed a multi-fight deal with Strikeforce and is expected to face former EliteXC champ Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva on May 15th. Sherdog.com first reported on the signing and planned matchup today.
Middleweight standouts Dan Miller and Michael “The Count” Bisping are likely to collide at UFC 114 on May 29th in Las Vegas. While it has not yet been officially signed, MMAjunkie.com is reporting that the UFC is working to finalise the fight and at least one fighter has verbally agreed to the bout.
Confirming weeks of rumours, DEEP Women’s Lightweight (106-Pound) Champion Miku “Supernova” Matsumoto announced her abrupt retirement tonight at DEEP: “46th Impact” at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan. The pound-for-pound phenom did not provide a reason for her sudden departure from the sport, but stated plans to engage in one final exhibition match.
Strikeforce crowned its second women’s champion tonight at Strikeforce Challengers 6 when undefeated Canadian Sarah Kaufman defeated Japanese standout Takayo Hashi for the Strikeforce Women’s Welterweight (135-Pound) Championship. The title fight headlined tonight’s event.