The bout for the newly-created Strikeforce Welterweight Championship was set to be featured on the Showtime-broadcast of Strikeforce’s August 15 event, which takes place at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California and also features Gina Carano vs. Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos for the Strikeforce 145-pound Women’s Championship, a lightweight championship rematch between title-holders Josh Thomson and Gilbert Melendez, and Fabricio Werdum battling an opponent to-be-named after his original foe, Strikeforce heavyweight champ Alistair Overeem, withdrew from the contest earlier this week.

Diaz will reportedly remain on the August 15 card, taking on an opponent to-be-named, which is expected to be announced soon.

Stay tuned to MMAFrenzy.com for the latest Strikeforce news and Strikeforce rumors.

[Pictured: Joe Riggs]

The Showtime-televised event, which takes place at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California, features three other title bouts as Gina Carano and Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos meet for the Strikeforce 145-pound Women’s Championship, heavyweight champ Alistair Overeem takes on Fabricio Werdum, and lightweight champions Josh Thomson and Gilbert Melendez unify their titles.

In their previous meeting in early-2006 at UFC 57, Riggs topped Diaz by unanimous decision but even more memorable than their fight inside the Octagon was the one that took place after they left the cage, as the pair brawled at the hospital.

Diaz (20-7) has won five-straight, including recent victories over Frank Shamrock and Scott Smith, while Riggs (31-11) has won back-to-back fights over Luke Stewart and Phil Baroni.

For the latest Strikeforce rumors check out the MMAFrenzy.com MMA rumors section.

[Pictured: Joe Riggs]

Though not yet signed, the bout is reportedly in the works for the event and both fighters are expected to agree to the rematch of their early-2006 meeting at UFC 57 which was won by Riggs via unanimous decision.

Even more memorable than their fight inside the Octagon was the one that took place after they left the cage, as Diaz and Riggs brawled at the hospital.

Diaz (20-7) has won five-straight, including recent victories over Frank Shamrock and Scott Smith, while Riggs has won back-to-back fights over Luke Stewart and Phil Baroni.

[Pictured: Nick Diaz]

8,867 fans attended the Showtime-televised event at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri.

Following the win, which improved Shields’ record to 23-4-1, the former EliteXC welterweight champion called for a middleweight title bout against Strikeforce champ Cung Le. Le, however, is not expected to defend his title for the indefinite future while pursuing a movie career and Shields may be forced to face another opponent for an interim title before Le returns. Lawler, a former EliteXC middleweight champion, falls to 18-5 following the defeat.

Heavyweight contender Brett Rogers needed just 22-seconds to knockout Andrei Arlovski with a flurry of punches in the Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields co-headliner. Rogers, who improved to 10-0 with the win, will next meet Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem on a future Strikeforce card, while Arlovski’s future is less certain after falling to 15-7 with his second-straight knockout loss.

In other main card action, Nick Diaz overwhelmed Scott Smith with punches over two full rounds before forcing Smith to tap to a rear naked choke in the third and Joe Riggs and Mike Whitehead picked up unanimous decision victories over Phil Baroni and Kevin Randleman respectively.

SEE ALSO: Carano-Cyborg, Thomson-Melendez II Set For August 15 Strikeforce Event

The Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields results were:

• Jake Shields def. Robbie Lawler via submission (guillotine choke) — Round 1. 2:02
• Brett Rogers def. Andrei Arlovski via KO (punches) — Round 1, 0:22
• Nick Diaz def. Scott Smith via submission (rear naked choke) — Round 3, 1:41
• Joe Riggs def. Phil Baroni via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Mike Whitehead def. Kevin Randleman via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Jesse Finney def. Josh Bumgarner via submission (kimura) — Round 1, 1:55
• Mike Kyle def. Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante via TKO (strikes) — Round 2, 4:05
• Booker DeRousse def. James Wade via TKO (strikes) — Round 1, 4:06
• Tyron Woodley def. Sal Woods via submission (north-south choke) — Round 1, 4:20
• Lucas Lopes def. Scott Ventimiglia via DQ (illegal knee) — Round 1, 3:26
• Pat Benson def. Dave Cochran via submission (triangle choke) — Round 1, 2:18

[Pictured: Jake Shields]

The event’s preliminary card is scheduled to begin at 7:45pm ET with the main, Showtime-televised card, headlined by a catchweight showdown between Robbie Lawler and Jake Shields, commencing at 10pm ET.

Stay tuned to MMAFrenzy.com all night for live results, plus stop by after the fights for extensive post-fight coverage.

STRIKEFORCE: LAWLER VS. SHIELDS RESULTS

• Jake Shields def. Robbie Lawler via submission (guillotine choke) — Round 1. 2:02
• Brett Rogers def. Andrei Arlovski via KO (punches) — Round 1, 0:22
• Nick Diaz def. Scott Smith via submission (rear naked choke) — Round 3, 1:41
• Joe Riggs def. Phil Baroni via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Mike Whitehead def. Kevin Randleman via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Jesse Finney def. Josh Bumgarner via submission (kimura) — Round 1, 1:55
• Mike Kyle def. Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante via TKO (strikes) — Round 2, 4:05
• Booker DeRousse def. James Wade via TKO (strikes) — Round 1, 4:06
• Tyron Woodley def. Sal Woods via submission (north-south choke) — Round 1, 4:20
• Lucas Lopes def. Scott Ventimiglia via DQ (illegal knee) — Round 1, 3:26
• Pat Benson def. Dave Cochran via submission (triangle choke) — Round 1, 2:18

[Pictured: Robbie Lawler and Jake Shields]

The official Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields weigh-in results were:

MAIN CARD

• Robbie Lawler (182.75) vs. Jake Shields (181.75)
• Andrei Arlovski (244) vs. Brett Rogers (262)
• Nick Diaz (179) vs. Scott Smith (179.5)
• Phil Baroni (168.75) vs. Joe Riggs (170)
• Kevin Randleman (204) vs. Mike Whitehead (206)

PRELIMINARY CARD

• Josh Bumgarner (173.5) vs. Jesse Finney (175.75)
• Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante (205.5) vs. Mike Kyle (202.5)
• Booker DeRousse (204.25) vs. James Wade (205.25)
• Tyron Woodley (170.5) vs. Sal Woods (169.25)
• Lucas Lopes (186) vs. Scott Ventimiglia (185)
• Dave Cochran (153) vs. Pat Benson (155.75)

PHOTO GALLERY

Phil Baroni

Welterweights Phil Baroni and Joe Riggs are likely to meet on Strikeforce’s rumored June 6th event in St. Louis, according to Five Ounces of Pain.

According to the report, both fighters have been offered the matchup but neither has officially signed on for the bout.

Baroni (13-10), a former UFC fighter who left the promotion following four-straight losses between 2003 and 2005, dropped from middleweight to welterweight last year following three-straight losses to Frank Shamrock, Kala Hose, and Joey Villasenor. “The New York Badass” has found success at the new weight class, going 3-0 at 170-pounds with victories over Scott Jansen, Ron Verdadero, and Olaf Alfonso.

Riggs (29-10) was offered a UFC title shot against Matt Hughes in 2005 following back-to-back wins, but failed to make weight for the fight then lost to Hughes in a non-title matchup. After going 2-2 in his next 4 UFC bouts with wins over Nick Diaz and Jason Von Flue as well as losses to Mike Swick and Diego Sanchez, “Diesel” was cut from the promotion. Since leaving he’s gone 4-2, most-recently defeating Luke Stewart via second-round TKO at Strikeforce: Destruction last November. He was originally slated to fight June 6th headliner Jake Shields on April 11th, but the matchup was scrapped after Shields was instead tapped to fight Robbie Lawler.

Riggs went on an expletive-filled rant earlier today in an interview with Ariel Helwani at Versus.com (uncensored version available at Fightlinker) regarding Shield’s decision to fight Lawler because a fight against Riggs wasn’t “big enough”.

For the latest Strikeforce rumors check out the MMAFrenzy.com MMA rumors section.

Nick Diaz gives Frank Shamrock the finger

• UFC veteran Kevin Randleman has signed with Strikeforce and will debut with in the promotion’s light heavyweight division later this year.
• Joe Riggs and Brett Rogers are under consideration for the fifth and final Showtime-televised bout at Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Diaz on April 11th. The slot was to be filled by Riggs against Jake Shields, but Shields was pulled from the matchup to headline Strikeforce’s May event in Tacoma, Washington against Robbie Lawler.
• Showtime on Thursday announced the broadcast team for Strikeforce events, with Gus Johnson, Mauro Ranallo, Frank Shamrock, Stephen Quadros, and Pat Miletich tapped to call the fights.
• Strikeforce on Thursday held a public press conference in Los Angeles for “Shamrock vs. Diaz” with appearances by Frank Shamrock, Nick Diaz, Josh Thomson, Gilbert Melendez, Benji Radach, Scott Smith, Jake Shiels, Robbie Lawler, and Cris Cyborg. Quotes and photos from the event are below:

FRANK SHAMROCK

• “Someone asked me the other day how my comeback was going so I guess I’ve come back. I love fighting. I love this art. I want to thank Nick Diaz for the opportunity and just warn him that when I punch his head and he lands in the second row he’ll need someone to catch him.
• “I’m not going to show a lot of things I have in the past. This time I’m just showing up to smash some people and make a few dollars.”

NICK DIAZ

• “Training has been going great and I am very happy with it. I am clear-headed and ready to fight.
• “I feel I am the perfect candidate for this fight. Shamrock thinks he can beat guys with styles like me.
• “I don’t care about the weight. I feel more energetic. My strength is great. I hit harder. I like this fight because I will be able to control what goes on when we’re on the ground.
• “Frank can talk all he wants, but I’m going to beat him up. Let’s see how much he fights back.’’

JOSH THOMSON

• “There is much more pressure on me this fight. There was no pressure when I fought him the last time; I was just the challenger.
• “But now that I am Strikeforce champion, I have to work ever harder and be more prepared for anything and everything.
• “I don’t feel I got the respect I should have after beating Gilbert. But that doesn’t bother me. As long as I know I am giving the fans what they want – and the fans know what they will get when I fight – then I am fine.
• “Our second fight will really showcase our new skills, things people haven’t seen in the past. It will be more action-packed and fast-paced.
• “Gilbert is someone I admire and I’m actually dreading this fight. I know it’s going to go for five rounds and will be full of action. There will be a lot of blood, sweat and tears shed to get ready for this fight but it’s going to be fun come April 11.’’

GILBERT MELENDEZ

• “It is definitely a great thing for me to have a chance to redeem myself for my only loss and to do it on SHOWTIME is a dream come true. This fight will give both of us a lot of exposure.
• “All I will say about our first fight is that Josh trained harder and was the better man that night.
• “Losing is never a good thing, but you live and learn from experiences and that fight has made me train even harder. I did the best I could in our first fight, but I feel I am a better fighter now and will do better on April 11.
• “This time, I am going to take it to him, dictate the pace and make him fight me. This time, I am going to fight my fight.’’

SCOTT SMITH

• “I am very excited about this show and excited to be able to ride this new wave. This is going to be a great fight, one of the best of the night.
• “I totally respect Benji. This will not be easy. I’ve changed a few things in my fighting.
• “I’m trying not to get hit too much. People like to see fun fights and our fight will definitely be a fun fight to watch.’’

BENJI RADACH

• “He has been in a lot of wars but by no means do I think they have taken a toll on Scott. He is always in top shape and always comes to battle.
• “My advantage is, I think I am faster and maybe a little better wrestler. My quickness is going to be key.
• “But the bottom line is to be better and win the fight no matter where it goes.’’

CRIS “CYBORG” SANTOS

• “It’s really exciting what SHOWTIME has done for women’s MMA and I am proud that they want me back on their next show. I am not looking past my opponent, but the fighter I want is Gina Carano.
• “People have been talking about us fighting so I think it is only a matter of time. I think we both want the fight and I know it is a fight the fans would love to see.
• “I can’t wait for April 11 and I can’t wait to fight Gina Carano.’’

ROBBIE LAWLER

• “Everybody knows I am always ready and willing to fight anybody, anytime, any place so I am just looking forward to getting out there and fighting.
• “I might be bigger, but it sure doesn’t look it when we stand side by side. This will be my first fight since July but I’m always in the gym and I stay in shape. So I’ll be 100 percent.’’

JAKE SHIELDS

• “I am super excited about this fight and this opportunity. I’ve always wanted to fight the top level guys. That’s not to say the guys I’ve fought recently weren’t good fighters because they were.
• “But Lawler is a high-profile fighter, a top-five middleweight. So this is a real challenge for me and a fight that has me highly motivated.
• “I am very happy to be fighting on SHOWTIME again. This is definitely going to be a great fight and I am super happy to be part of this. Strikeforce is going to be doing a lot of good things in the future.’’

PHOTO GALLERY

Ever since ProElite closed its doors in October, there have been a lot of people expressing their hopes that Jake Shields would be able to make the move to the UFC. It looks like they will have to wait a bit longer to see if that possibility will ever become a reality. Yesterday it was apparently confirmed by MMAWeekly that former EliteXC Welterweight king Jake Shields will be facing off against Joe Riggs on the upcoming April 11th Strikeforce card.

Shields, who is managed by his father, had been putting together the paper work to file for a release from ProElite prior to the Strikeforce purchase of ProElite’s assets. Once the purchase was completed, the elder Shields decided that going with Strikeforce was a good option for his son, and much better than the costly process of seeking his release. The article goes on to state that the full details of Shields’ contract, such as length of time and number of fights, have yet to be settled, but a summer main event appearance against a “well known opponent” is already in the works for Shields’ second fight with the promotion.

Other fights for the April 11 event (signed and rumored) include:

Main Card

• Frank Shamrock vs. Nick Diaz
• Josh Thomson (c) vs. TBA
  Strikeforce Lightweight Championship
• Benji Radach vs. Scott Smith
• Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos vs. TBA

PRELIMINARY CARD

• Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos vs. TBA

You can continue to follow the rumored card for this event on the Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Diaz Rumors page.

“Babalu’s a tough fighter. He matches up well with anybody because he’s strong in every area,” said Southworth. “I’m the same. I feel I have good wrestling, good standup, and good Jiu-Jitsu skills. This is a step up in competition, but my camp is working hard to prepare me and we’re coming to win.”

“I’m definitely going to be looking for the knockout,” said Sobral. “I’m one month away and I’m 218 lbs. right now. I’m feeling great. I will be strong enough to win this fight.”

Also on the card, UFC veteran Joe “Diesel” Riggs will return to the 170-pound welterweight division in a featured bout against Luke Stewart (6-1) and Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh “The Punk” Thomson (16-2) will defend his title against an opponent to-be-announced.

Tickets for Strikeforce “Destruction”, priced from $30, go on sale this Monday at 10am PT and can be purchased at the HP Pavilion, all Ticketmaster locations, ticketmaster.com, and Strikeforce.com.