Well, that didn’t take long. Just three days after Strikeforce closed its doors, the promotion’s two biggest male superstars have been issued their first UFC assignments.
If you’ve kept close tabs on the rumor mill, neither of the bouts should come as a surprise. As expected, now-former Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez (Pictured) will get an immediate title shot against reigning UFC 155-pound king Benson Henderson at “UFC on FOX 7.”
The unofficial title unification bout headlines the April 20th event.
In addition, former Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix champ Daniel Cormier will meet Frank Mir that same evening. The 265-pounders were slated to collide in a November Strikeforce show, but Mir was forced to withdraw with an injury.
The UFC announced both scraps Tuesday afternoon.
According to Cormier, after he beats the former two-time UFC champ in his big league debut, he’ll drop down to light heavyweight and “kick Jon Jones’ ass.”
HP Pavilion in San Jose, California hosts the festivities. FOX will broadcast the main card live beginning at 8PM ET/5PM PT.
Found January 15, 2013 on
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