After the knee injury that knocked Frank Mir out from the fight with Strikeforce grand prix winner Daniel Cormier (a replacement opponent has not yet been named), the bout, that will take place on November 3 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, loses another two protagonists.
Luke Rockhold has been forced to withdraw from his title defense against Lorenz Larkin because of a left hand injury. Rockhold, 27, posted six consecutive victories before capturing the middleweight title in September 2011 defeating Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza. He has since defended his belt twice, first with ex-UFC light heavyweight Keith Jardine in January and taking a unanimous decision from Tim Kennedy in July.
A former light heavyweight, Lorenz Larkin has fought just once at 185 pounds, earning a victory over former EliteXC champion Robbie Lawler on July 14.
Debut postponed also for Sara McMann, due to an undisclosed injury. The first American woman in history to receive a silver medal in women’s wrestling (2004 Summer Olympics games in Athens, Greece) was expected to face Liz Carmouche on the show’s main card (it is currently unknown if Carmouche will remain on the bill).
McMann is undefeated, (6-0-0), and most recently won against submission specialist Shayna Baszler at Invicta FC 2.
Carmouche, 28, also competed last at July’s Invicta FC 2, submitting Ashleigh Curry with a second-round rear-naked choke. For “Girl-Rilla”, six of her seven total wins came by either knockout or submission.
Event: Strikeforce: Kennedy vs Smith
Date: 2012-11-03
Where: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
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