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By FCF Staff Strikeforce has confirmed that its welterweight champion Nick Diaz will attempt to defend his title for the first time, at the promotion’s upcoming October 9th event in San Jose, California. Diaz (22-7) won the belt in January, at Strikeforce’s “Miami” event, when he stopped Marius Zaromskis in the first round. The BJJ black belt under Cesar Gracie has competed just once since then; at Dream 15 in May, Diaz tapped out accomplished veteran Hayato Sakurai in the opening frame. (pictured above: Diaz (right) in his memorable bout with Takanori Gomi)
No opponent has been determined yet for Diaz.
Another Strikeforce title will be up for grabs October 9th, as the promotion has confirmed, that as expected, women’s 135lb. champion Sarah Kaufman will face Marloes Coenen (17-4). The undefeated Kaufman (12-0) is coming of a KO slam victory over Roxanne Modafferi in July, while in Coenen’s last outing in January, she was stopped by Strikeforce 145lb. women’s champion Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos.
Strikeforce has also confirmed that rising middleweight prospect Luke Rockhold (7-1) will fight renowned veteran Matt Lindland at the event. In February, Rockhold stopped Phil Bradley in the first round to run his winning streak to 6, while Lindland (22-7) is coming off a third round TKO victory over Kevin Casey in May.
