Two weeks ago, ProMMANow.com reported that KJ Noons would get a second chance to conquer the fighting enigma known as Charles “Krazy Horse” Bennett. Now, Noons will instead take on Conor Heun since Bennett has been forced off the card for unknown reasons.
MMAWeekly first reported the change on Wednesday, and Strikeforce has since confirmed the bout.
Noons was originally scheduled to fight on Strikeforce’s June 26 card. However, now he will meet Heun on the promotion’s June 16 offering in Los Angeles.
The hybrid boxer and MMA fighter, made his return to MMA competition in March. Noons took a one-sided decision over Andre Amado at Dream 13. For his first fight in almost two years he stuck to his solid boxing game. While away from MMA, Noons went 4-1 in the boxing ring to raise his professional boxing record to 11-2. Noons defeated Nick Diaz to claim the Elite XC 160-pound title and defended it once against Yves Edwards before the promotion shut its doors.
Heun made his Strikeforce debut last June. His fight with Jorge Gurgel was hailed as one of the most exciting fights of the year, but Heun ultimately lost the decision. The loss stopped a three-fight win streak that included a victory over James Edson Berto. In addition to fighting, Heun has also made a habit of showing up on MMA reality shows. He has been featured on episodes of both “Human Weapon” and “Bully Beatdown.”
Currently headlining Strikeforce’s June 16 card in a catchweight fight between former Elite XC middleweight champion Robbie Lawler and former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Renato “Babalu” Sobral.