The Weekly Wrap: Jan. 16 - Jan. 22

Strikeforce Moves

Strikeforce announced this week it has scheduled a formidable “Challengers” event for Feb. 26, while CEO Scott Coker also confirmed to Sherdog.com that the promotion will launch tournaments for female 135-pound and 145-pound fighters in April.

The Challengers card, from San Jose, Calif., features a host of competitive fights, including Trevor Prangley vs. Karl Amoussou, Luke Rockhold vs. Paul Bradley and a fight between Sarah Kaufman and Takayo Hashi to crown the promotion’s first 135-pound champion. The card airs the same night as the latest offering from the Maximum Fighting Championship. MFC 24 will be headlined by Yves Edwards vs. Derrick Noble and air on HDNet.

Coker said the tournaments, which will not be one-night brackets, will decide the next challengers for both champions. Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos vs. Marloes Coenen on Jan. 30 will determine the 145-pound champion; the Feb. 26 fight between Kaufman and Hashi will decide the 135-pound champion. Coker said female MMA luminary Gina Carano will not compete in the tournament; a possible Carano return has been talked about for the summer.

Strikeforce also signed EliteXC veteran Joey Villasenor to a four-fight contract this week, and signed Wes Sims to fight Bobby Lashley on the Jan. 30 “Miami” card. The Sims fight ends a grueling slate of attempts from Strikeforce matchmakers to book a palatable opponent for the former pro wrestling star.