List of Strikeforce Fighters Coming to UFC Revealed

by Adam Martin

A whole slew of Strikeforce fighters are ready to invade the UFC.

According to journalist Ariel Helwani on UFC Tonight, who revealed the list, the following fighters are confirmed to make their way over to the UFC. Keep in mind that this list is incomplete, so it’s possible a few more fighters may make the move, but this following list is likely the bulk of them:

The new UFC fighters are, by weight class:

Heavyweight: Daniel Cormier

Light heavyweight: Gegard Mousasi, Gian Villante

Middleweight: Luke Rockhold, Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza, Lorenz Larkin, Roger Gracie, Tim Kennedy, Anthony Smith (confirmed by MMAjunkie.com)

Welterweight: Tarec Saffiedine, Roger Bowling, Bobby Voelker, Jason High, Chris Spang (previously reported by StudioMMA.com)

Lightweight: Gilbert Melendez, Josh Thomson, Ryan Couture, K.J. Noons, Pat Healy, Adriano Martins, Kurt Holobaugh

These fighters are of course in addition to any of the former Strikeforce fighters who already crossed over and who have already been booked for fights, such as Robbie Lawler and Jordan Mein.

The following fighters were notably absent from the list, but remember it’s possible they may be coming over, only that it hasn’t yet been confirmed:

Light heavyweight: Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante, O’Vince St. Preux, Guto Inocente

Middleweight: Adlan Amagov

Welterweight: Nah-Shon Burrell, Quinn Mulhern, Jorge Santiago

Lightweight: Justin Wilcox, James Terry, Estevan Payan, Joe Duarte, Matt Ricehouse

The additions of all these fighters strengthens the UFC’s roster considerably so expect even deeper fight cards in 2013.