Strikeforce Likely Headed To Columbus, Ohio In March 2011

The UFC opted not to do a show during the Arnold Sports Festival in Ohio this year, but it appears Strikeforce is ready to swoop in and take up the spot during the popular event in Columbus.

Reports surfaced on Monday that the San Jose based promotion was considering a show during the first weekend in March, 2011 after the UFC had announced they didn’t intend on going back next year after several consecutive events there since 2007.

Sources close to the promotion confirmed to MMAWeekly.com that things are looking very good for Strikeforce to put on their first event in the Buckeye state in 2011. MMAJunkie first reported the possibility on Monday.

The Arnold Sports Festival draws in thousands of fans to the Columbus, OH area every year, and a coinciding MMA event has done well for the UFC and WEC.

Strikeforce has never ventured to Ohio before, but putting on a show that would land there on March 5, 2011 seems like a perfect introduction to the state.

Out of the Strikeforce roster, Jorge Gurgel, who owns and operates a school in Cincinnati just two hours south of Columbus, could be a primed candidate for a home state fighter on the card, although the promotion has yet to make any official announcements about the show.