Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza Gets Replacement Bristol Marunde for March 3 Strikeforce

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Former Strikeforce middleweight champion Ronaldo Souza has a new opponent for Strikeforce “Tate vs. Rousey,” as Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker announced Wednesday that International Fight League veteran Bristol Marunde has agreed to face “Jacare” at the March 3 event.

Headlined by a women’s 135-pound title tilt between Miesha Tate and Ronda Rousey, the event takes place at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Also featuring a lightweight attraction pitting former Strikeforce champion Josh Thomson against onetime EliteXC titlist K.J. Noons, the evening’s main draw airs on Showtime.

Souza was initially expected to face rising talent Derek Brunson at the event, but Brunson was pulled from the fight on Tuesday after failing a pre-fight eye exam.

A decorated jiu-jitsu practitioner, Jacare had a four-fight winning streak snapped in September when he lost his title via unanimous decision to Luke Rockhold at Strikeforce “Barnett vs. Kharitonov.” The Dream veteran won the vacant Strikeforce belt in 2010, outpointing Tim Kennedy to capture the gold. Souza defended it once successfully, submitting former UFC competitor Robbie Lawler in January 2011.

Marunde, 29, began his pro career in 2004, racking up a 4-2 record before joining the IFL in 2006. Earning just one victory in his four-fight IFL stint, the American rebounded by winning nine of his next 10 fights. Most recently, the native Alaskan captured the Superior Cage Combat middleweight title, besting UFC veteran Jay Silva by unanimous decision in November.