Strikeforce newcomer Chad Griggs will face off against former professional wrestler and fast-rising heavyweight Bobby Lashley at “Strikeforce: Houston” later next month.
Strikeforce officials confirmed the bout for the Texas card earlier today. HeavyMMA.com reported on Tuesday that Strikeforce officials were making a choice between Chad Griggs and Lavar Johnson.
Lashley faced UFC veteran Wes Simms in his debut with the promotion at “Strikeforce: Miami” last January. Lashley earned a quick technical knockout victory and was set to return at “Strikeforce: Los Angeles” to face Ron Sparks, but was forced to withdraw from the contest due to injury. He currently stands at 5-0 since making the move from professional wrestling to mixed martial arts.
Griggs, a veteran of the now-defunct IFL, has been less than active over recent years. His last fight was a knockout victory in April of 2009, which was the first time he stepped in the cage since November of 2007. The Strikeforce newcomer is sitting on a three-fight winning streak and is 8-1 overall.
“Strikeforce: Houston” is set for August 21 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas and features a main event between light heavyweight champion Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal and top contender Rafael Cavalcante. The card also features the promotion’s second vacant middleweight title fight within the past year, as Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza squares off against Tim Kennedy.
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