Nunes-Kedzie Announced for June 18 Strikeforce

Julie Kedzie (above) will battle Amanda Nunes on June 18. | Photo: Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

Headlined by the titular heavyweight grand prix quarterfinal between Strikeforce's reigning heavyweight king Alistair Overeem and former Pride Fighting Championships rival Fabricio Werdum, the event goes down June 18 from the American Airlines Center in Dallas. The final heavyweight tournament quarterfinal will also be contested in the co-main event, as former UFC titleholder Josh Barnett locks horns with heavy-handed Brett Rogers.

Nunes, 22, has only tasted defeat once in her pro career. The Edson Carvalho protégé made both her Strikeforce and North American debut on Jan. 7, annihilating Julia Budd in just 14 seconds. The Brazilian owns all six of her career wins by knockout and has not been defeated since her first pro fight in 2008.

Kedzie holds a significant experience advantage over her foe, as she has 24 pro bouts to her credit. The Greg Jackson-trained fighter is a veteran of Cage Rage, Bodog Fight and EliteXC competition and holds 10 of her 16 career wins by decision. “Fireball” rides a four-fight winning streak into her showdown with Nunes, most recently besting Kaitlin Young via unanimous nod on April 9.