Strikeforce, Lawler Agree to Multi-Year Deal

Strikeforce on Wednesday announced it had agreed to terms on a multi-year contract with former EliteXC middleweight champion Robbie Lawler.

Based at the HIT Squad camp in Illinois, Lawler (Pictured) has won two of his last three fights. The 28-year-old knocked out 2000 Olympic silver medalist Matt Lindland at Strikeforce “Henderson vs. Babalu 2” on Dec. 4 at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis. One of the sport’s most feared stand-up fighters, Lawler has secured 15 of his 18 career victories by knockout or technical knockout. His list of victims includes former Icon Sport middleweight champion Frank Trigg, one-time EliteXC middleweight titleholder Murilo “Ninja” Rua, Jackson’s Mixed Martial Arts standout Joey Villasenor, UFC veteran Scott Smith and Dutch knockout artist Melvin Manhoef.

Lawler will meet Strikeforce middleweight king Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza in a five-round title bout on Jan. 29 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.

“Strikeforce has treated me good, and I am happy to re-sign with them,” Lawler said in a release. “They have given me an opportunity to fight for the title and I’m looking forward to that and to fighting any and all of the top 185-pounders.’’

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Diaz Inks Multi-Year Extension with Strikeforce

Nick Diaz: Dave Mandel | Sherdog.com

Strikeforce welterweight champion Nick Diaz isn't going anywhere.

Though rumors have persisted regarding a possible second stint with the UFC, Strikeforce today announced that Diaz has signed a multi-year extension to fight for the promotion. Details of the deal were not immediately available.

“I’m looking forward to continuing my career with Strikeforce,” said Diaz in a statement. “When I first got here, there weren’t a lot of great 170-pound fighters for me to fight, but that’s definitely changed. There’s a lot of really good fighters in the division now, and I’m ready to fight anyone who thinks they can beat me.”

Diaz will defend his title for the second time on Jan. 29 as he takes on Brazilian slugger Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos. The Cesar Gracie-trained Diaz has won eight consecutive fights, most recently dismantling K.J. Noons in a rematch of their 2007 EliteXC welterweight title affair. The southpaw’s current run includes notable victories over Dream champion Marius Zaromskis, Japanese veteran Hayato “Mach” Sakurai and MMA pioneer Frank Shamrock.

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