An intriguing welterweight scrap between undefeated prospect Tyron Woodley (8-0 MMA, 6-0 SF) and British slugger Paul Daley (27-10-2 MMA, 2-1 SF) won't be for a title, but the winner of the July 30 bout could find himself competing for a belt before year's end.
Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker recently stopped short of calling the contest a No. 1 contender matchup, but he did say the winner would likely be in an enviable position.
"I would say the winner of that fight we're definitely keeping our eye on," Coker said. "I think by the end of the year, you'll see a title fight happening."
Nick Diaz, the only welterweight champion the promotion has ever known, recently vacated the title in order to challenge UFC belt-holder Georges St-Pierre. However, Coker said Strikeforce is not in an extreme rush to determine a new champion and is instead looking to identify the top contenders in the 170-pound division.
Woodley and Daley, who meet on the main card of "Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson," will apparently decide at lease one half of that future bout.
Strikeforce welterweights Tarec Saffiedine and Scott Smith will also square off at the July 30 event, and the promotion boasts a host of prospects on its roster, including Roger Bowling, Jason High, Eduardo Pamplona, James Terry and Bobby Voelker, among others. But Coker teased a new signee to the promotion who he believes may also play a role in determining Strikeforce's next 170-pound champ.
"We're about to sign another fighter that until it's done I don't want to say who it is," Coker told MMAjunkie.com (
www.mmajunkie.com). "It's possible (the new fighter could immediately fight for a title). Maybe we'll give him one fight, and we'll see what happens. But I definitely think the experience will speak for itself."
Coker declined to comment further on the fighter in question.
"Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson" takes place July 30 at Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, Ill. The main card, including a Fedor Emelianenko vs. Dan Henderson heavyweight headliner, airs live on Showtime.
Daley initially was slated to fight Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos on the card, but the Brazilian recently bowed out due to a shoulder injury.
Daley fights for the first time since an April title loss to Diaz. Prior to the TKO defeat, the knockout artist had won eight of nine fights, and the lone loss came to perennial contender Josh Koscheck at UFC 113. UFC officials ultimately released the British fighter after the fight because of a post-bout suckerpunch.
Daley, long ranked among the world's top 170-pounders, now meets the fast-rising Woodley, who was earmarked for a shot at Diaz before he opted to vacate the title and challenge UFC champ Georges St-Pierre in October. Woodley, a former standout wrestler at the University of Missouri, joined Strikeforce after just two wins and since has pushed his record to 8-0. His recent victories have come over notables such as Rudy Bears, Nathan Coy, Andre Galvao and Tarec Saffiedine.
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