Henderson-Shields Likely for April CBS Card

Dan Henderson will make his debut for Strikeforce at a yet-to-be-announced event scheduled to be aired on CBS in April, according to promoter Scott Coker.

“I’m sure you heard, CBS leaked an April fight and Dan will fight on that card,” said Coker after a Saturday afternoon press conference held to announce the signings of Henderson, K.J. Noons and WWE veteran Bobby Lashley.

Speculation about Henderson’s first opponent has swirled around middleweight champion Jake Shields, a fighter Henderson said he admired and saw as a good matchup.

“I think Jake Shields will be my first fight,” said Henderson. “Hopefully Jake doesn’t want to go back to 170 [pounds].”

The former Pride champion told Sherdog.com that he feels Shields will be more than happy to square off with him, but questions whether those around him will be so eager to see the fight consummated.

“I honestly think Jake is fine with stepping up and fighting me. I think maybe part of his management or his guys behind him are a little bit worried about that fight.”

When asked about the potential matchup, Shields told Sherdog.com in a phone interview that he wants the fight, but needs to work out the details with Strikeforce.

“I want to fight big fights and this is a big fight,” said Shields. “I think I am still a 170 pounder, but I think I match up well and I want the fight to happen so I think we will work it out.”

Coker also discussed a possible series of fights that he and Henderson discussed when brokering the deal that brought him from the UFC to Strikeforce. Coker said that Henderson had told him he would love to fight Shields, light heavyweight champion Gegard Mousasi and heavyweight ace Fedor Emelianenko.

Henderson, while not endorsing Coker’s statement, did not back away from it either.

“I know none of that really matters if I don’t win the first fight so I don’t want to focus too much on any of that. But I have fought a lot of bigger guys and have done pretty well with them,” said a smiling Henderson.