The “Strikeforce: Champions” event that’s set for January 12th at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City is quickly taking shape. Strikeforce officials have announced two additional middleweight bouts for the card. Former champion Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza will replace Luke Rockhold and fight Lorenz Larkin, and former number one contender Tim Kennedy will take on Trevor Smith.

The event will be headlined by the Strikeforce welterweight title fight between the champion Nate Marquardt and challenger Tarec Saffiedine.

Souza (16-3) is coming off an impressive first round KO over Derek Brunson in his last outing. The former champion has won back-to-back fights since losing a very close unanimous decision against Luke Rockhold. Larkin (13-0, 1NC) is coming off a unanimous decision win over former champion Robbie Lawler in his last outing.

Kennedy (14-4) is coming off a unanimous decision loss against Luke Rockhold, which was his second title fight loss. Kennedy had won back-to-back fights going into the bout with the other title fight loss coming against Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza. Smith (10-2) is coming off a submission win over Alexandre Moreno in his last outing. The Strikeforce Challengers veteran has never allowed any of his fights to go to the judges as he has 9 wins via submission and one win via TKO/KO, and both of his losses are via TKO.

The preliminary fights will air on Showtime Xtreme with main card fights airing on Showtime at 10 p.m. ET.

The Strikeforce: Champions card can be found below:

  • Champ Nate Marquardt vs. Tarec Saffiedine – for welterweight title
  • Daniel Cormier vs. Dion Staring
  • Gegard Mousasi vs. Mike Kyle
  • Lorenz Larkin vs. Ronaldo Souza
  • Josh Barnett vs. Nandor Guelmino
  • Pat Healy vs. Jorge Masvidal
  • Roger Gracie vs. Anthony Smith
  • Tim Kennedy vs. Trevor Smith
  • Ryan Couture vs. K.J. Noons

Stay tuned to ProMMAnow (www.prommanow.com) for more “Strikeforce: Champions” news and coverage.

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