A second women’s bout has been added to the upcoming Strikeforce card on June 18th in Dallas, Texas. Veteran Julie “Fireball” Kedzie will make her promotional debut against rising star Amanda “Lioness of the Ring” Nunes in a 135-pound matchup. The fight was made official today.
Previously confirmed for the event was a 145-pound women’s fight between the returning Gina “Conviction” Carano and Strikeforce newcomer Sarah “The Monster” D’Alelio. Kedzie is coming off of wins over D’Alelio and Kaitlin Young, while Nunes last stopped Julia “The Jewel” Budd in 14 seconds.
Kedzie (16-8-0)* became the inaugural Jackson’s MMA Series Women’s Bantamweight Champion in her most recent fight; a five-round decision over Young in April. Prior to that, she earned a Unanimous Decision against D’Alelio when the pair squared off in December. Kedzie has never been knocked out in her career and became HOOKnSHOOT Women’s Tournament Champion in 2005. The veteran faced Carano in a pivotal matchup for EliteXC on February 10, 2007 in a bout deemed Fight of the Night.
*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.
Nunes (6-1-0) was defeated in her March 2008 pro debut, but rallied back with three straight wins. She took a step up in competition in bouts with Vanessa Porto and Ediane “India” Gomes, and impressed with a pair of stoppage victories. The win over Gomes led Nunes to Strikeforce, where she made her promotional debut in January. Knocking out Budd in 14 seconds, Nunes made an instant impact, but she will now return to her natural weight class of 135 pounds.
Strikeforce: “Overeem vs Werdum” takes place on June 18th at the American Airlines Arena in Dallas, Texas. The event will be headlined by a pair of Strikeforce heavyweight tournament quarterfinal bouts. Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion Alistair “Demolition Man” Overeem rematches Fabricio “Vai Cavalo” Werdum in one tournament fight, while Josh “The Babyfaced Assassin” Barnett faces Brett “The Grim” Rogers in the other.
Strikeforce: “Overeem vs Werdum” Fight Card (to date; subject to change):
– Alistair “Demolition Man” Overeem vs Fabricio “Vai Cavalo” Werdum
– Josh “The Babyfaced Assassin” Barnett vs Brett “The Grim” Rogers
– Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal vs Ovince St. Preux [*]
– Gina “Conviction” Carano vs Sarah “The Monster” D’Alelio
– Daniel Cormier vs Jeff “The Snowman” Monson
– Chad “The Grave Digger” Griggs vs Valentijn “The Python” Overeem
– “King” K.J. Noons vs Jorge “Gamebred” Masvidal
– Julie “Fireball” Kedzie vs Amanda “Lioness of the Ring” Nunes
– Gesias “JZ” Cavalcante vs Justin “The Silverback” Wilcox [*]
*Not yet officially announced.
Wow… Gotta go with Amanda. She’s got some really heavy hands. No other fighter can stand and trade punches with her, and her jiu-jitsu is sick.
I think she wins either standing or on the ground.