It’s been 15 months since anyone has seen Josh Thomson in a cage. The oft injured fighter was back on the main card at Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey to face off with the former EliteXC Lightweight Champion, KJ Noons, in a fight that may have title implications for the future.
The trash talking is all but over between Miesha Tate and Ronda Rousey and the two ladies will settle their squabble inside the Strikeforce cage. The women’s bantamweight title is on the line tonight, but before that happens, Sarah Kaufman and Alexis Davis will fight on the night’s preliminary card to determine the number one contender and next in line for whomever walks away with the belt.
The fighters for tonights’s Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey card stepped onto the scales last night in Columbus, Ohio. All 18 fighters made weight and will begin stepping into the cage tonight at 8pm ET / PT for the preliminary card that will be airing on Showtime Extreme. The night main card will start at 10pm ET / PT time and is headlined by the Strikeforce women’s bantamweight title bout between Miesha Tate and Ronda Rousey.
Not since Cyborg vs. Carano has a female fight generated this kind of hype, yet here we are with a major female MMA bout. There has been a tremendous war of words between many fighters on this card and some of these fights could be straight-up magical. This is also one of the best betting cards we’ve seen in a long time, so let’s be sharp and hit a few of these gems for all they’re worth.
It was first thought to be headlined by the heavyweight grand prix final between Josh Barnett and Daniel Cormier. When that didn’t work out, Strikeforce then promoted the women’s bantamweight title fight between Miesha Tate and Ronda Rousey to headliner status. Strikeforce then surrounded is second card anchored by a women’s title fight with several of the promotions top fighters.
![Scott Coker Announces March 3rd Strikeforce Card [Video]](/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Scott-Coker-300x200.jpg "Scott Coker Announces March 3rd Strikeforce Card [Video]")
The next Strikeforce card had been rumored to be on March 3rd but during the Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine main card Scott Coker made it official. Coker would re-announce the event date and list the current fight card during the post fight press conference.
With the Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez running short of opponents; two possible contenders have verbally agreed to fight at the Strikeforce event sometime in March. Former champions Josh Thomson (18-4) and K.J. Noons (11-4) will face off and the winner quite possibly could position themselves next in line for Melendez.
Four fighters from Saturday’s Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Mavidal card were handed down indefinite suspensions this week from the California State Athletic Commission. The rough night of fights resulted in 10 fighters overall receiving suspensions ranging from 45 days to 180 days.
