Kennedy vs. Smith added to January’s “Strikeforce: Champions” event | MMA News

Another middleweight bout has been added to the “Strikeforce: Champions” event as it was announced that Tim Kennedy (14-4 MMA, 5-2 SF) will throw down with Trevor Smith (10-2 MMA, 2-1 SF) on January 12 in Oklahoma City.

It was back in July that Kennedy dropped a unanimous decision to middleweight champ Luke Rockhold in what was his second attempt at the Strikeforce middleweight championship. Kennedy had failed in his first attempt against “Jacare” Souza in August of 2010. In between those losses, Kennedy had looked impressive with a first-round submission of Melvin Manhoef and a unanimous decision win over Robbie Lawler in 2011.

Meanwhile, Smith’s most recent victory came outside of the Strikforce promotion. Trevor started his Strikeforce career with back-to-back submission wins in 2011 over opponents Ketih Berry and T.J. Cook. However, back in January, Smith was finished by Gian Villante in a mere 65 seconds in Las Vegas. 9 of Smith’s 10 wins have come by way of submission, with 8 of them happening within the first round.

“Strikeforce: Champions” is set to take place at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City on January 12, 2013.

The “Strikeforce: Champions” fight card now includes:
•Champ Nate Marquardt vs. Tarec Saffiedine (Welterweight title fight)
•Daniel Cormier vs. Dion Staring
•Gegard Mousasi vs. Mike Kyle
•Josh Barnett vs. Nandor Guelmino
•Ryan Couture vs. K.J. Noons
•Pat Healy vs. Jorge Masvidal
•Roger Gracie vs. Anthony Smith
•Jacare Souza vs. Lorenz Larkin
•Tim Kennedy vs. Trevor Smith