STRIKEFORCE SLUGFEST: NICK DIAZ VS. SCOTT SMITH
Monday, April 27, 2009 - by Damon Martin - MMAWeekly.com
With the success of his first turn competing at a catchweight in April, Nick Diaz will take a second shot at fighting at 180 pounds, this time against heavy hitter Scott Smith, at the June 6 Strikeforce event in St. Louis.
The bout has been verbally agreed upon according to sources close to the fight, as confirmed to MMAWeekly.com on Monday. Sports1140.com originally reported the bout.
Nick Diaz made an impressive showing for himself at the Strikeforce event in early April as he dismantled Frank Shamrock, eventually finishing off the legend in the second round of their 180-pound contest.
Now the former lightweight and welterweight will keep the extra pounds on as he returns to action to face another tough opponent in California native Scott Smith.
The former WEC and UFC middleweight fought on the same card as Diaz where he got the best of Benji Radach in a bout that many called the best fight so far of 2009.
Smith will get little rest following the tough fight against Radach, as he now looks to get his third win in a row when he faces Diaz as a part of the promotion's continued deal with the Showtime network.
A heavyweight title bout has also been rumored for the card with Strikeforce champion Alistair Overeem returning to the promotion for the first time since 2008 to face Minnesota wrecking machine Brett Rogers. The bout has not been finalized, but sources confirmed that it is in negotiations to possibly appear on the June 6 card, as well.
The main event for the June 6 show pits former EliteXC middleweight champion Robbie Lawler against former EliteXC welterweight champion Jake Shields
