Strikeforce Confirms 5-Bout Main Card for July 30

Bolstering the high-profile heavyweight headliner between Fedor Emelianenko and Dan Henderson will be a co-main event pitting Strikeforce women’s 135-pound champion Marloes Coenen (Pictured) against top contender Miesha Tate.

A pair of welterweight tilts will also be featured, as British banger Paul Daley tries to halt unbeaten prospect Tyron Woodley, and heavy-handed Scott Smith squares off against Team Quest product Tarec Saffiedine. Rounding out the main draw is a middleweight contest between former title challengers Robbie Lawler and Tim Kennedy.

“Fedor versus Hendo is the super fight fans have been waiting for and we’re proud to have also stacked the rest of this card with exciting fights,” Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker stated in a release. “Marloes has proven to be one of the best women’s mixed martial artists on the planet, but Miesha could be her toughest challenge yet. When you add knockout artists like Paul Daley, Robbie Lawler and Scott Smith, as well as rising stars such as Tyron Woodley, Tim Kennedy and Tarec Saffiedine, this is the type of card that will deliver some explosive fights.”

While not confirmed in Monday’s release, the July 30 undercard at Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, Ill., is also expected to feature a lightweight bout between Gesias Cavalcante and Lyle Beerbohm, plus a 135-pound scrap between Strikeforce newcomers Julie Kedzie and Alexis Davis.