Andrei Arlovski and
Brett Rogers will meet in a featured bout for Strikeforce “Lawler vs. Shields” on June 6 at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis.
Strikeforce Director of Public Relations Mike Afromowitz confirmed the heavyweight matchup to Sherdog.com Tuesday.
Arlovski (15-6), 30, was knocked out by No. 1 world-ranked heavyweight
Fedor Emelianenko at Affliction “Day of Reckoning” in January, but acquitted himself well in the bout’s opening moments.
The defeat snapped a five-fight win streak for Sherdog.com’s No. 2-ranked Arlovski, which included crushing TK0 victories over former IFL standouts
Ben Rothwell and
Roy Nelson, as well as a decision over former UFC heavyweight
Fabricio Werdum.
Rogers (9-0) made his promotional debut on April 11, stopping
Ron Humphrey with second-round knees. The Minneapolis native will carry a 30-pound advantage over Arlovski in the bout.
The bout will be sponsored by Affliction. Arlovski has a single fight left on a three-bout contract with Affliction Entertainment. The fighter's management would not comment on Arlovski's contract with the popular clothing brand-turned-promoters, and if this announced bout satisfies Arlovski's contract with the promotion.
"We're thankful to Affliction and Strikeforce for this opportunity," Arlovski's manager told Sherdog.com Tuesday, "and we look forward to our continued relationship with Affliction."
Affliction Vice President Tom Atencio could not be intially reached for comment.
Arlovski had been previously announced to make his professional boxing debut on June 27 in Los Angeles for Golden Boy Promotions, which also has a promotional relationship with Affliction Entertainment.
The June 6 event will be headlined by a middleweight matchup between former EliteXC 185-pound champ
Robbie Lawler and 170-pound kingpin
Jake Shields.
Strikeforce “Shields vs. Lawler” airs live on Showtime at 10 p.m. EST.
This article was updated at 4:34 p.m. EST to include additional information on the Arlovski-Rogers bout.
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