Zuffa Applies for UFC 137, Strikeforce Dates in Las Vegas

Keith Kizer, executive director of the NSAC, confirmed Wednesday to Sherdog.com that the UFC has applied for permission to hold an Oct. 29 show at Mandalay Bay Events Center, while Strikeforce has requested to promote an Aug. 12 card at the Palms Casino Resort. While there has been no official announcement from either promotion, the events are likely to become UFC 137 and Strikeforce Challengers 18, respectively.

UFC 137 is expected to be headlined by a UFC welterweight title clash between reigning champion Georges St. Pierre and former Strikeforce belt-holder Nick Diaz. Little else is known about the event, although it has been established that St. Pierre’s title will be up for grabs in the main event. Diaz recently vacated his Strikeforce title, which he held since January 2010, in order to challenge the dominant Canadian.

No bouts have been announced for Strikeforce Challengers 18, which mark the second “Challengers” event to be held in Las Vegas. Forza, LLC, the Zuffa subsidiary which acquired Strikeforce’s assets in May, recently applied for a promoter’s license in the state of Nevada.