Once-beaten prospect Roger Bowling will lock horns with promotional newcomer Josh Thornburg in a preliminary welterweight duel at Strikeforce “Feijao vs. Henderson” on Saturday at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Strikeforce officials have finalized a 10-fight lineup for the event, which will air live on Showtime.
A Cesar Gracie protégé, Thornburg has christened his professional career with five wins in his first six appearances. The 26-year-old has not competed since capturing the Gladiator Challenge lightweight crown in May, when he submitted Larry Wasson with a second-round guillotine choke at the Red Hawk Casino in Placerville, Calif. Thorburg has delivered three of his five wins by submission.
The five-round light heavyweight title bout pitting champion Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante against two-time Olympian Dan Henderson will headline the event. In addition, Strikeforce women’s welterweight champion Marloes Coenen will defend her crown against Liz Carmouche, a late replacement for the injured Miesha Tate.
Strikeforce “Feijao vs. Henderson”
Saturday, March 5
Nationwide Arena
Columbus, Ohio
Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship
Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante vs. Dan Henderson
Strikeforce Women’s Welterweight Championship
Marloes Coenen vs. Liz Carmouche
Tim Kennedy vs. Melvin Manhoef
Billy Evangelista vs. Jorge Masvidal
Roger Bowling vs. Josh Thornburg
Jorge Gurgel vs. Tyler Combs
Jason Riley vs. Jay Freeman
Ian Rammel vs. Brian Rogers
Marc Cofer vs. Mitch Whitesel
John Felty vs. John Kuhner