Strikeforce on CBS Locked for April

CBS has formally agreed to air its second Strikeforce event in April, Sherdog.com has learned from an executive within the major network.

A specific date and venue has not been decided, though numerous locations are currently being scouted from coast to coast, according to the executive.

Fedor Emelianenko and Dan Henderson are expected to appear on the card, said the CBS source. Henderson, a top-five ranked middleweight, left the UFC to sign a four-fight 16-month deal with Strikeforce on Dec. 5. Sherdog.com has learned that Henderson is being strongly considered to challenge middleweight champion Jake Shields in his promotional debut in April.

Both fighters’ camps told Sherdog.com on Tuesday that they’re open to the possibility of the matchup, though no official talks have begun with the promotion.

Strikeforce “Fedor vs. Rogers” earned favorable ratings for CBS when it aired in its “Saturday Night Fights” slot on Nov. 7 from the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Ill.

The event reached 4.04 million homes to take the coveted Men 18-34 timeslot and peaked during the main event between the world’s No. 1 heavyweight and Rogers with 5.46 million viewers, making it the ninth most watched live fight in U.S. history.