Strikeforce Update: JZ Cavalcante Matched Against Isaac Vallie-Flagg for May 19 Card in San Jose

The lightweight contest will likely take place on the Showtime Extreme undercard broadcast, though the event’s bout order has yet to be officially revealed.

Showcasing a lightweight championship rematch between Gilbert Melendez and Josh Thomson, the event takes place at the HP Pavilion. The main card airs live on Showtime and will feature a heavyweight confrontation pitting Josh Barnett against Daniel Cormier to decide the promotion’s grand prix champion.

Once considered a top-tier lightweight, Cavalcante has struggled in recent years, posting a 2-3 record with two no-contests in his last seven fights. Following losses Shinya Aoki and Tatsuya Kawajiri, “JZ” earned a win over Katsunori Kikuno at Dream 15 before stumbling in his 2010 Strikeforce debut against Josh Thomson. Though Cavalcante’s next bout with Justin Wilcox ended prematurely due to an accidental eye poke, the Imperial Athletics rep responded with a victory in his most recent outing on July 30, edging former King of the Cage champion Bobby Green by split decision.

Cavalcante will likely serve as the stiffest test of Vallie-Flagg’s career. Representing Jackson’s MMA in Albuquerque, N.M., Vallie-Flagg has not lost since July 2007. Formerly competing at welterweight, the American was victorious in his Strikeforce debut, edging Brian Melancon via split decision in a 175-pound catch-weight contest last June.