Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine is an upcoming mixed martial arts event to be held by Strikeforce. The event will take place on January 12, 2013 at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The event is expected to air live on Showtime.
Official Fight Card
Main card (Showtime)
Welterweight Championship bout: United States Nate Marquardt (c) vs. Belgium Tarec Saffiedine
Heavyweight bout: United States Daniel Cormier vs. Netherlands Dion Staring
Heavyweight bout: United States Josh Barnett vs. Austria Nandor Guelmino
Light Heavyweight bout: Armenia Gegard Mousasi vs. United States Mike Kyle
Catchweight (194lbs) bout: United States Ed Herman vs. Brazil Ronaldo Souza
Preliminary card (Showtime Extreme)
Lightweight bout: United States Pat Healy vs. United States Kurt Holobaugh
Middleweight bout: Brazil Roger Gracie vs. United States Anthony Smith
Middleweight bout: United States Tim Kennedy vs. United States Trevor Smith
Lightweight bout: United States Ryan Couture vs. United States K.J. Noons
Preliminary (Unaired)
Lightweight bout: Brazil Jorge Gurgel vs. Brazil Adriano Martins
Lightweight bout: United States Michael Bravo vs. United States Estevan Payan
Background
This event will be the final one for Strikeforce before the organization is folded and merged with the UFC.
Both Gilbert Melendez and Luke Rockhold were expected to defend their titles at this event, however they were both forced off the card due to lingering injuries.
Lorenz Larkin and Ronaldo Souza were announced to be facing each other by the promotion in late November. However, on December 20, it was announced that UFC middleweight Ed Herman would be facing Souza instead.
Pat Healy and Jorge Masvidal were also announced to be facing each other in a lightweight bout. However, on December 22, it was announced that Masvidal pulled out of the fight due to a back injury. A replacement for Healy is currently being sought. On January 2nd it was announced that Healy would face an undefeated newcomer Kurt Holobaugh
dec 3 - updated event name, fightcard & background
jan 3 - updated fightcard & background