Woodley Won't Compete at Dec. 4 Strikeforce

After the show was stung by a string of injuries last week, Sherdog was informed by sources close to the event that welterweight prospect Tyron Woodley might step up to fill the void. Strikeforce had contacted Woodley to see if he was in shape and willing to fight at the Dec. 4 event, going down at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, but all plans to use the 170-pound wrestler were speculative. On Tuesday, Sherdog was informed that Woodley officially would not compete at the event.

Woodley, 28, is fresh off an easy victory over Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion Andre Galvao at Strikeforce “Diaz vs. Noons 2” in October. The American Top Team Missouri product is undefeated in seven outings and is known for his explosive athleticism and his wrestling acumen. Woodley has finished all but one of his opponents, with five of those victories coming by way of submission.

A former Big-12 champion at Mizzou, Woodley made his Strikeforce debut at “Lawler vs. Shields” in 2009, submitting his opponent with a brabo choke in round one. Woodley has racked up a 5-0 record inside the Strikeforce cage.

The event will be headlined by a rematch between former two-division world champion Dan Henderson and one-time Strikeforce light heavyweight champ Renato Sobral. The winner of the fight may be awarded a shot at Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante's 205-pound title. Also on the card will be a middleweight showdown between Matt Lindland and “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler as well as a scrap between heavy-handed welterweights Paul Daley and Scott Smith. Rounding out the main card will be a heavyweight contest between former EliteXC kingpin Antonio Silva and UFC veteran Mike Kyle.