With the success of their first production of the year, new interim Light-heavyweight champion Gilbert Melendez, and the newly acquired EliteXC fighters, Strikeforce’s current title holders can be sure the want for gold is on the rise. See the updated list of Strikeforce champions
Heavyweight Champion
Allistar Overeem holds the Strikeforce Heavyweight title. Captured after he submitted Paul Buentello at the promotions November 2007 show, Overeem became the first Heavyweight title holder of the promotion making his debut all the sweeter. Since his debut in Strikeforce, Overeem has been fighting in the Japanese Dream promotion where he made it to the finals of their Grand Prix where he faced former PrideFC and Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter Mirko “Crocop” Filipovic. The bout ended in a draw.
The Dutch kickboxer, born in the Netherlands, is mostly known for his time in the Pride Fighting Championships. Fighting in the Japanese promotion for a little over five years, Overeem’s overall professional fight record is 29-11-1. Allistar Overeem faces some stiff competition, with contenders such as Brett Rogers and Fabricio Werdum, already eyeing a title shot.
Light-heavyweight Champion
Renato “Babalu” Sobral became the Light-heavyweight champion, after he defeated Bobby Southworth, the then Lightheavy weight champion at the promotions November 2008 show. Since his release from the Ultimate Fighting Championships, Sobral has been on a five fight win streak bouncing between Strikeforce and Affliction, most recently defeating Remy Thierry Sokodojou, at Afflictions: Day of Reckoning.
Sobral is next scheduled to fight in June 2009 at Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields, where he will defend his title for the first time since winning the belt against fellow Brazilian Rafael Feijao Cavalcante. During the Shamrock vs. Diaz event, Sobral and free agent, former UFC Light-heavyweight champion and Huntington Beach Bad Boy, Tito Ortiz shared a few words before being separated. Sobral has expressed wanting to face Ortiz, who is currently recuperating from back surgery after his win at Affliction. Ortiz has not signed with any promotions as yet.
Middleweight Champion
Since making his debut at Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Gracie, Cung Le has been undefeated, ending all of his six fights via knockout or technical knockout. Cung Le became Middleweight champion at Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Le, after breaking the arm of Frank Shamrock, which was the last time Le, competed.
At the post fight press conference, Nick Diaz said he would fight anyone including the Middleweight champion Cung Le, who he described as not being a complete fighter. In what seems to be an eye for the Middleweight belt, on the part of Diaz, and a subtle call out to Cung Le.
Welterweight Champion
The welterweight championship belt is currently vacant.
In the upcoming show in June 2009, Joe Riggs will face Phil Baroni in a welterweight bout; all though it is not for the title, the winner could possibly be paving his way to a title shot.
Lightweight Champion
The current lightweight champion is Josh Thompson was unable to compete after an unfortunate ankle break, while training for what would have been, his first title defence and rematch with Gilbert Melendez, who he took the lightweight belt from at Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Diaz. Thompson was replaced with Rodrigo Damm, who was defeated by Gilbert Melendez. Melendez became the new Interim lightweight champion.
The show will go on while Thompson is out nursing his broken ankle. However, there has been no announcement of who Melendez will face next.
