Diaz-Smith Join June 6 Strikeforce

Nick Diaz and Scott Smith will have little time to rest on their laurels –- both have agreed to face off in a featured bout for Strikeforce “Lawler vs. Shields” on June 6 at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis.

Strikeforce Director of Public Relations, Mike Afromowitz, confirmed that the two Californians will lock up at a catch-weight of 180 pounds.

Outspoken Stockton native Diaz (19-7) earned heaps of cage cred for his dominating performance over aging UFC legend Frank Shamrock on April 11 in San Jose, Calif. The 6-foot middleweight utilized his long reach to pepper Shamrock with head and body shots and took the former UFC champion down at will until the fight was halted late in the second round.

Also a standout at Strikeforce’s April event, Smith (15-5) went toe-to-toe with fellow banger Benji Radach for three arduous rounds. Down on the scorecards, Smith came back in the last frame with a crushing right to Radach’s chin with only 90 seconds left on the clock. It was Smith’s second knockout in as many fights.

The June 6 event will be headlined by a middleweight matchup between former EliteXC 185-pound champ Robbie Lawler and 170-pound kingpin Jake Shields.

Strikeforce “Shields vs. Lawler” airs live on Showtime at 10 p.m. EST (delayed on the West Coast).