Undefeated Former STRIKEFORCE World Middleweight Champion Cung Le
-Always-dangerous, hard-hitting striker Scott “Hands Of Steel’’ Smith
-STRIKEFORCE World Lightweight Champion Josh Thomson
-Interim Lightweight Champion Gilbert “El Nino” Melendez
-Former NCAA wrestling champion and undefeated MMA fighter “King Mo” Lawal
-Two-time All-American College Wrestler Mike Whitehead
-Former Olympic wrestling silver medalist Matt “The Law” Lindland
-Submission expert “Jacare” Souza

& More

WHAT: All 16 athletes will participate in the final weigh-in on Friday, Dec. 18, just one day prior to the STRIKEFORCE: Evolution mixed martial arts (MMA) fight card on Saturday, Dec. 19, at HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif., live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on West Coast). The weigh-in is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, free of charge.

The undefeated Le, one of the most dynamic fighters in MMA, will enter the cage for the first time since relinquishing the STRIKEFORCE middleweight (185 pounds) title to concentrate on an acting career. Le will face Smith, a hard-hitting puncher and contestant on season four of Spike TV’s The Ultimate Fighter reality show, in the main event.

Thomson will square off with Interim Lightweight Champion Melendez in a long-awaited rematch to determine the undisputed king of STRIKEFORCE’s 155-pound division. Thomson seized the lightweight crown by earning a five round, unanimous judges’ decision over Melendez at HP Pavilion on June 27, 2008.

In other SHOWTIME televised fights, Lawal will make his STRIKEFORCE debut when he meets Whitehead, Lindland will battle Souza at middleweight, and “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler will face an opponent to be determined.

Tickets, priced from $30, are on sale at the HP Pavilion box office, all Ticketmaster locations (800-745-3000), Ticketmaster online (www.ticketmaster.com) and STRIKEFORCE’s official website (www.strikeforce.com).

WHERE: San Jose Marriott – San Jose Ballrooms 1-4

301 South Market Street, San Jose, Calif. 95113,
Get Directions

(408) 280-1300

WHEN: Friday, Dec. 18 at 4:30 p.m. PT