Strikeforce Plans Event For Wednesday, June 16thIn addition to a major Showtime event on June 26th, Strikeforce is reportedly planning a second card for Wednesday, June 16th at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, California. MMAjunkie.com first reported on the second planned event, which is also expected to air on the Showtime network.

While no bouts have been officially announced, the Los Angeles event may be headlined by a middleweight rematch between final Elite Middleweight Champion “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler and fellow former ICON Sport champ Jason “Mayhem” Miller, who submitted Lawler in 2006.

Lawler (17-5-0, 1 NC) has competed for nearly every major promotion in the world since leaving the UFC in late 2004. The former two-time ICON Sport Middleweight Champion lost the title in his first bout with Miller on September 2, 2006, but rebounded with a crushing 22-second knockout win over current Strikeforce contender Joey Villasenor at PRIDE 32. After knocking out Frank Trigg to regain the ICON Sport title, Lawler added a second championship to his mantle when he dispatched of Murilo “Ninja” Rua in EliteXC. Lawler is 1-1 in Strikeforce and is coming off of a huge comeback win over Melvin “No Mercy” Manhoef. A victory over Miller would both avenge the prior loss and place Lawler back in title contention in Strikeforce.

Miller (22-7-0, 1 NC) has also fought for a majority of the world’s most notable MMA promotions since his lone UFC appearance in 2005. He became ICON Sport Middleweight Champion by submitting Lawler, but lost the title in his first defence when he was upset by Trigg. Miller has since made appearances in World Extreme Cagefighting and DREAM and made his Strikeforce debut in a title bout with current champ Jake Shields last November. While Miller came up short, he won over the fans with his eccentric entrance and near-submission of Shields in the third round. Miller will face journeyman Tim Stout next Saturday at Strikeforce: Nashville and his participation against Lawler could be impacted should he suffer an injury.

Also rumoured for the June 16th card are Strikeforce Women’s Middleweight (145-Pound) Champion Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos and rising heavyweight star Bobby “The Dominator” Lashley. No opponents have been listed for either opponent and Lashley has expressed interest in returning in May instead.

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