Lawler-Manhoef, Hieron-Riggs Set for Strikeforce ‘Miami’

A middleweight bout featuring Robbie Lawler against Melvin Manhoef and a welterweight contest pitting Jay Hieron against Joe Riggs has been added to Strikeforce’s Jan. 30 card at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Fla., the promotion confirmed on Wednesday.

Lawler was scheduled to face South African Olympic wrestling alternate Trevor Prangley At Strikeforce “Evolution” on Dec. 19, until Prangley withdrew with an injury. A former EliteXC middleweight champion and H.I.T. Squad member alongside Matt Hughes, the 27-year-old Iowan was submitted by Jake Shields in the first round of their headlining bout at Strikeforce “Lawler vs. Shields” on June 6 in St. Louis.

Dutch heavy-hitter Manhoef stopped Japanese standout Kazuo Mizaki on first-round punches at K-1 and FEG’s co-promoted “Dynamite” on Dec. 31 in Saitama, Japan. Manhoef has won seven of his last nine bouts, all by strikes.

Meanwhile, former IFL welterweight champion Hieron cinched up his promotional debut with a unanimous decision against Jesse Taylor at Strikeforce “Carano vs. Cyborg” on Aug. 15 in San Jose, Calif. Riggs battered Phil Baroni to a unanimous nod at Strikeforce’s June 6 event, and has notched two more victories on the regional circuit since then.

Also, on the card, Nick Diaz and Marius Zaromskis will vie for the vacant welterweight championship.

Nick Diaz vs. Marius Zaromskis

Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos vs. Marloes Coenen*

Robbie Lawler vs. Melvin Manhoef
Jay Hieron vs. Joe Riggs
Bobby Lashley vs. Shane del Rosario*
Herschel Walker vs. TBA

*Not officially announced yet