Strikeforce Adds Monson-Cormier Heavyweight Tilt to Dallas Show
Daniel
Cormier will face the stiffest test of his nascent MMA career
when the two-time U.S. Olympic wrestler goes up against onetime
UFC title contender Jeff
Monson.
The heavyweight tilt was added over the weekend to the bill for Strikeforce “Overeem vs. Werdum,” which takes place June 18 at American Airlines Center in Dallas. Headlining the Showtime-televised event are the two remaining quarterfinals in Strikeforce’s 2011 heavyweight grand prix, with current Strikeforce heavyweight champ Alistair Overeem rematching Fabricio Werdum and Josh Barnett meeting Brett Rogers.
Cormier, 32, is undefeated through his first seven starts and has stopped six opponents via knockout or submission. The current King of the Cage heavyweight champion, Cormier was last seen on Jan. 7, when he notched a one-sided unanimous decision over International Fight League veteran Devin Cole. The American Kickboxing Academy product was originally expected to meet fellow unbeaten prospect Shane Del Rosario on the Dallas card, but Del Rosario was forced to withdraw after sustaining serious injuries in an April 18 car accident.
Fighting out of American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Fla., Monson has been one of the sport’s most consistently active fighters in recent years. Since losing a five-round bid for Tim Sylvia’s UFC heavyweight strap in November 2006, “The Snowman” has competed 24 times for more than 20 different promotions around the globe. The 40-year-old Monson has already fought thrice in 2011, taking out former KOTC heavyweight king Tony Lopez, Croatian prospect Maro Perak and Lee Mein.
The heavyweight tilt was added over the weekend to the bill for Strikeforce “Overeem vs. Werdum,” which takes place June 18 at American Airlines Center in Dallas. Headlining the Showtime-televised event are the two remaining quarterfinals in Strikeforce’s 2011 heavyweight grand prix, with current Strikeforce heavyweight champ Alistair Overeem rematching Fabricio Werdum and Josh Barnett meeting Brett Rogers.
Cormier, 32, is undefeated through his first seven starts and has stopped six opponents via knockout or submission. The current King of the Cage heavyweight champion, Cormier was last seen on Jan. 7, when he notched a one-sided unanimous decision over International Fight League veteran Devin Cole. The American Kickboxing Academy product was originally expected to meet fellow unbeaten prospect Shane Del Rosario on the Dallas card, but Del Rosario was forced to withdraw after sustaining serious injuries in an April 18 car accident.
Fighting out of American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Fla., Monson has been one of the sport’s most consistently active fighters in recent years. Since losing a five-round bid for Tim Sylvia’s UFC heavyweight strap in November 2006, “The Snowman” has competed 24 times for more than 20 different promotions around the globe. The 40-year-old Monson has already fought thrice in 2011, taking out former KOTC heavyweight king Tony Lopez, Croatian prospect Maro Perak and Lee Mein.
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