No Lashley on Strikeforce April 17 Undercard

Strikeforce announced the undercard line-up of its April 17 “Nashville” event on Monday, which will include a former local college football standout and the son of a UFC 6 veteran.

Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker confirmed to Sherdog.com that Bobby Lashley will not appear for the event, which will emanate from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., as was previously expected. Coker did not give a reason for the former WWE champion’s exclusion. Lashley, who’s 5-0 in MMA, also splits his time as a TNA pro wrestler.

Former University of Tennessee linebacker Ovince St. Preux meets Chris Hawk, of Memphis, in a heavyweight preliminary bout; while Hunter Worsham, the son of three-time UFC veteran Cal Worsham, faces undefeated Zach Underwood in a middleweight matchup.

Nashville’s Josh Schockman, who fought at UFC 65 in November 2006, will meet Hardcore Gym’s Cale Yarbrough in a 185-pound bout.

Strikeforce “Nashville” boasts three championship bouts on its main card, which will air live on CBS. In addition to a middleweight title bout between champion Jake Shields and top-5 ranked Dan Henderson, light heavyweight titleholder Gegard Mousasi will lock horns with undefeated Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal.

In a first for the U.S MMA scene, Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez will face current Dream titleholder Shinya Aoki for the U.S. promotion’s championship.

Strikeforce “Nashville” airs live on CBS beginning at 9:00 p.m. EST/PST.

Strikeforce “Nashville” April 17, 2010 Bridgestone Arena Nashville, Tenn.

Strikeforce Middleweight Championship
Jake Shields vs. Dan Henderson

Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship
Gegard Mousasi vs. Muhammed Lawal

Strikeforce Lightweight Championship
Gilbert Melendez vs. Shinya Aoki

Zach Underwood vs. Hunter Worsham
Josh Schockman vs. Cale Yarbrough
Dustin Ortiz vs. Justin Pennington
Andy Uhrich vs. Dustin West
Chris Hawk vs. Ovince St. Preux
Tom Campbell vs. Cody Floyd