Coenen-Tate Title Tilt Ticketed for March 5 Strikeforce

Though not yet confirmed by the promotion, Tate announced the bout via Twitter: “It’s confirmed my fight is set for March 5th in Columbus OH vs Marloes Coenen for my shot at the @Strikeforce 135lb title!!!”

Spawned by the Golden Glory camp, Coenen last appeared at Strikeforce “Diaz vs. Noons 2” in October, when she submitted the previously unbeaten Sarah Kaufman with a third-round armbar to capture the women’s 135-pound title. The 29-year-old Dutch grappling ace, a 10-year veteran of the sport, has secured 13 of her 18 career victories by submission. Three wins against former Smackgirl open weight champion Yoko Takahashi and another over Roxanne Modafferi anchor Coenen’s resume. She has never lost back-to-back bouts.

Tate will carry a five-fight winning streak into the match. The 25-year-old has not entered the cage since August, when she defeated Maiju Kujala and Hitomi Akano on the same night to win the 2010 Strikeforce women’s welterweight tournament. With it came status as the top contender for Coenen’s title. Tate owns other notable victories over Jan Finney and reigning Bellator Fighting Championships women’s 115-pound titleholder Zoila Frausto.

A light heavyweight title bout pairing champion Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante with two-time Olympian and former two-division Pride Fighting Championships kingpin Dan Henderson will headline Strikeforce “Columbus,” which will air live on Showtime.