Woodley Vs. Galvao To Replace Rockhold Vs. Lindland At Strikeforce On Oct. 9

By Raj Giri | September 22, 2010

A matchup of welterweight prospects, Tyron Woodley (8-0) and Andre Galvao (5-1) will replace the fight between Luke Rockhold and Matt "The Law" Lindland at Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Noons II on Saturday, Oct. 9, at HP Pavilion in San Jose, CA.

The middleweight bout between Rockhold and Lindland was called off after Rockhold sustained a shoulder injury last Saturday while training at American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) in San Jose. The extent of the injury is not yet known.

"The fight between Tyron and Andre is a great matchup between two young fighters looking to take their careers to the next level," said Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker. "We wish Luke a speedy recovery and are confident he will soon enough rejoin our growing crop of top prospects."

The unbeaten 5-foot-9, 28-year-old Woodley of St. Louis, Mo., is a two-time All-American NCAA wrestler for the University of Missouri. He fought three times on the Challengers series, winning his last on a hard-fought split decision over Nathan Coy in his first start of the year on May 21 in Portland, Ore. Woodley triumphed by submission in both his 2009 outings on Strikeforce Challengers, finishing Rudy Bears with an arm-triangle choke and Zach Light with an arm-bar on Nov. 20 and Sept. 25, respectively.

Woodley, who turned pro in February 2006, is a member of American Top Team. He won his initial start for Strikeforce with a first-round submission (Brabo Choke) over Sal Woods in a non-televised, undercard bout on June 6, 2009, in St. Louis.

Galvao, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist, is coming off a third-round TKO (punches) over Jorge Patino in an undercard bout last Aug. 21 at Strikeforce: Houston. In his fight before last, he triumphed via controversial split-decision over Luke Stewart during a Strikeforce Challengers event last March 26 in Fresno, Calif.

The 5-foot-7 Galvao, who turns 28 on Sept. 29, is 2-0 in 2010. His only defeat came on a split decision to Jason High in the DREAM Welterweight Grand Prix on July 20, 2009. Before going pro in August 2008, Galvao earned countless Jiu-Jitsu titles in international competition for Brazil, including a gold medal at the World Championships in '08.

The postponement is a setback for Rockhold, an up-and-coming middleweight on a six-fight winning streak.

"There's not much I can do. Injuries are part of the game," Rockhold said. "But I feel bad for Matt, the fans, Strikeforce, everybody. I'd been working really hard and was really focused on this fight. Hopefully, I will be OK soon and Matt and I can get it on in the future."

In the Oct. 9 main event, Strikeforce World Welterweight (170 pounds) Champion Nick Diaz (22-7, 1 NC) will defend against KJ Noons (9-1) in an eagerly awaited grudge rematch. Strikeforce Women's Welterweight World Champion Sarah Kaufman (12-0) will risk her 135-pound belt a second time when she faces No. 1 contender Marloes Coenen (17-4) in the co-feature

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Woodley-Galvao replaces Lindland-Rockhold at "Strikeforce: Diaz vs Noons 2"

Luke Rockhold (7-1 MMA, 6-0 SF) has suffered a shoulder injury, and his bout with fellow middleweight Matt Lindland (22-7 MMA, 1-1 SF) has been scratched from next month's "Strikeforce: Diaz vs Noons 2" event.

In its place comes a welterweight bout between Tyron Woodley (8-0 MMA, 3-0 SF) and fellow prospect Andre Galvao (5-1 MMA, 2-0 SF).

MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) reported the bout earlier this week, though a Strikeforce official said bout agreements had not been finalized at the time.

The event takes place Oct. 9 event at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. The night's main card, including Woodley vs. Galvao, airs on Showtime.

"The fight between Tyron and Andre is a great matchup between two young fighters looking to take their careers to the next level," Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker stated. "We wish Luke a speedy recovery and are confident he will soon enough rejoin our growing crop of top prospects."

Details of Rockhold's injury have not been announced.

Woodley, a two-time All-Americna wrestler and captain at the University of Missouri, looks for his ninth straight win overall and his fourth straight in Strikeforce. The top prospect has competed in three consecutive Strikeforce Challengers events, where he submitted Zach Light and Rudy Bears and narrowly edged Nathan Coy via split decision in his most recent bout in May.

Galvao, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and decorated grappling competitor, recently rebounded from his first career MMA loss (a split decision to Jason High at DREAM.10) with back-to-back wins under the Strikeforce banner. After a split-decision win over Luke Stewart at Strikeforce Challengers 6, he then scored a TKO victory over Jorge Patino at "Strikeforce: Houston" in August.

For the latest on the "Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Noons," stay tuned to the MMA Rumors section of MMAjunkie.com.

(Pictured: Andre Galvao)

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Scott Smith vs. Jesse Finney slated for "Strikeforce: Henderson vs. Babalu"

Veteran Scott Smith (17-7 MMA, 3-2 SF) will take on local fighter Jesse Finney (6-1 MMA, 2-0 SF) when Strikeforce heads to St. Louis for a Dec. 4 event.

Sources close to the event today confirmed the matchup with MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).

As MMAjunkie.com first reported earlier today, "Strikeforce: Henderson vs. Babalu" takes place at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis.

The night's main card airs on Showtime, and Smith vs. Finney is expected to be part of the lineup.

The fight is expected to mark Smith's welterweight debut.

Smith, a former UFC and Strikeforce fighter, upset Cung Le with a come-from-behind knockout win this past December. However, in his only fight of 2010, Smith suffered a TKO defeat in the rematch this past June at "Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Werdum." Despite the defeat, he's won three of his past five fights (all via knockout and all under the Strikeforce banner).

Finney, meanwhile, is a St. Louis-based promoter, gym owner and fighter. He'll fight on a Strikeforce-St. Louis card for the third time following a June 2009 submission victory over Josh Bumgarner and a May submission win over Justin DeMoney. However, he recently suffered his first career loss when Josh Neer tapped him out at an August Fight Me MMA event in Missouri.

For more on "Strikeforce: Henderson vs. Babalu," stay tuned to the MMA Rumors section of MMAjunkie.com.

(Pictured: Scott Smith)

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Tyron Woodley vs. Andre Galvao possible for "Strikeforce: Diaz vs Noons 2"

A welterweight bout between undefeated Tyron Woodley (8-0 MMA, 3-0 SF) and fellow prospect Andre Galvao (5-1 MMA, 2-0 SF) could be part of next month's "Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Noons 2" event.

Galvao today announced the fight via Twitter, but a Strikeforce official told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) the bout isn't signed.

The event takes place Oct. 9 event at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.

It's not known if the bout, if finalized, will be part of the Showtime-televised main card or preliminary card. A long-awaited rematch between Strikeforce welterweight champ Nick Diaz and K.J. Noons headlines the card.

Woodley, a two-time All-Americna wrestler and captain at the University of Missouri, looks for his ninth straight win overall and his fourth straight in Strikeforce. The top prospect has competed in three consecutive Strikeforce Challengers events, where he submitted Zach Light and Rudy Bears and narrowly edged Nathan Coy via split decision in his most recent bout in May.

Galvao, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and decorated grappling competitor, recently rebounded from his first career MMA loss (a split decision to Jason High at DREAM.10) with back-to-back wins under the Strikeforce banner. After a split-decision win over Luke Stewart at Strikeforce Challengers 6, he then scored a TKO victory over Jorge Patino at "Strikeforce: Houston" in August.

For the latest on the "Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Noons," stay tuned to the MMA Rumors section of MMAjunkie.com.

(Pictured: Tyron Woodley)

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After UFC release, "TUF 8" winner Efrain Escudero talking to Strikeforce, Bellator

Ultimate Fighting Championship officials have released "The Ultimate Fighter 8" winner Efrain Escudero following a third-round submission loss to Charles Oliveira.

The Tempe, Ariz.-based lightweight announced the bad news Monday afternoon via his Twitter account and subsequently confirmed it to MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).

Escudero (13-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC) said the split was amicable, and he has already begun dialogue with other prominent MMA promotions.

"I'm going to take a week off, so I'm not rushing into anything," he said. "Then, after that, I'm going to decide where I'm going to go."

The fighter named Strikeforce and Bellator Fighting Championships among those who are interested in his services.

Escudero met Oliviera (14-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) this past week at UFC Fight Night 22 and held his own for much of the fight until the energetic up-and-comer hopped on his back and secured a rear-naked choke. It was his second loss inside the octagon.

Oliviera, meanwhile, won "Submission of the Night" honors.

The fight did not come without complications. Escudero came in at 159 pounds for the bout and was fined 20 percent of his "show" purse by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, which oversaw the event at Austin, Texas' Frank Erwin Center.

Oliveira was the third proposed opponent for Escudero, who was originally slated to meet John Gunderson on the Sept. 15 event's preliminary card. He then was rebooked to meet Matt Wiman before injuries to Wiman and Mac Danzig shuffled the lineup.

Escudero earned his "TUF 8" crown with a win over Phillipe Nover and appeared to be well on his way up the ladder with a subsequent knockout win over Cole Miller. But fellow up-and-comer Evan Dunham stopped his rise with a submission victory at UFC Fight Night 20, and he started from square one with a decision victory over Dan Lauzon at UFC 114.

When asked if the UFC expressed interest in having him back after he picked up wins in other promotions, Escudero responded, "kind of like that."

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"Strikeforce: Henderson vs. Babalu" slated for Dec. 4, Walker in co-headliner

A long-rumored matchup between Dan Henderson (25-8 MMA, 0-1 SF) and Renato "Babalu" Sobral (36-8 MMA, 2-1 SF) will headline a currently unannounced Strikeforce event slated for Dec. 4 at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis.

The fight is set for the light-heavyweight division and will air live on Showtime, according to multiple sources close to the event, who told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that the promotion formally will announce the event early next week.

Additionally, Herschel Walker (1-0 MMA, 1-0 SF) is expected to fight in the event's co-headliner against an opponent to be determined.

A heavyweight matchup between Fedor Emelianenko (31-2 MMA, 1-1 SF) and Antonio Silva  (14-2 MMA, 1-1 SF) is unlikely to take place at the Dec. 4 event, but it may be targeted for an event in January that's yet to receive a date and location, sources said.

Henderson undoubtedly is looking to rebound from a disappointing promotional debut in which he met then-middleweight champion Jake Shields on the CBS-televised "Strikeforce: Nashville" card. The former PRIDE welterweight and middleweight came within an inch of a first-round knockout before Shields took the fight down and dominated him en route to a unanimous-decision win. (Shields then vacated the middleweight title to sign with the UFC, where Henderson hung his hat before he jumped ship to join up with Strikeforce.)

Prior to the setback, Henderson enjoyed a three-fight win streak inside the octagon capped by a highlight-reel knockout of Michael Bisping at UFC 100 in July 2009.

Those triumphs eased the sting of two losses he incurred in the wake of his migration from the shuttered PRIDE to the UFC; at UFC 75, he lost a unanimous decision to then-champion Quinton Jackson in a bid to unify the 205-pound UFC and PRIDE titles, and a subsequent bid for the middleweight belt was thwarted when champ Anderson Silva submitted him at UFC 82.

Sobral impressed in his most recent performance when he met Robbie Lawler at June's "Strikeforce: Los Angeles" event and out-struck the heavy-handed veteran en route to a unanimous decision. It was a key reversal for the Brazilian, who was forced to give up his Strikeforce light-heavyweight title when Gegard Mousasi knocked him out in 60 seconds flat at "Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg" in August 2009.

Walker, a former star NFL running back, recently returned to San Jose, Calif.'s American Kickboxing Academy, the gym which prepared him for his professional MMA debut in January at "Strikeforce: Miami." The 48-year-old newcomer and lifelong martial artist made good on his training and stopped the unheralded Greg Nagy by second-round TKO. Walker's MMA debut drew considerable media attention for Strikeforce, and it also scored its biggest Showtime ratings of 2010.

Currently, the UFC also has an event planned for Dec. 4: The Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale in Las Vegas. The event airs on Spike TV and concludes the current season of the UFC's long-running reality series.

For more on "Strikeforce: Henderson vs. Babalu," stay tuned to the MMA Rumors section of MMAjunkie.com.

(Pictured: Dan Henderson)

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