Strikeforce Teams with Toys for Tots

On Dec. 4, Strikeforce will return to St. Louis for “Henderson vs. Babalu 2” at the Scottrade Center. While the combatants will be busy doling out strikes and submissions in the cage, Strikeforce will be encouraging those outside the chain-link fence to do a little giving of their own.

The fight promotion will team up with Toys for Tots, a non-profit organization managed by the Marine Corps, in an effort to help those in need during the holiday season. According to a Strikeforce press release, the promotion will have several stations set up at the Scottrade Center that will accept any new, unopened gifts that spectators wish to donate to local underprivileged youths. Cash donations are also accepted.

“Everything we collect stays in St. Louis,” said Marine Corps Sergeant Gavin Lewis, who manages the Toys For Tots program in the Gateway City area. “It’s about local people helping local children, which is a phenomenal thing. When a company like Strikeforce pitches in, it really helps spread our reach in the community and makes it a successful drive.”

The card will be headlined by the titular rematch between former Pride champ Dan Henderson and onetime Strikeforce titleholder Renato “Babalu” Sobral. The event will also feature a middleweight tilt between “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler and Olympic silver medalist Matt Lindland as well as a pivotal welterweight showdown between heavy-handed Scott Smith and fellow knockout puncher Paul Daley.