Strikeforce Adds Gurgel vs. Martins and Pavan vs. Bravo to January Event

Just a couple weeks ago, Strikeforce’s Jan. 12 event slated for Oklahoma City, Okla., appeared in jeopardy of falling to the wayside like the two previous attempts by the promotion to put events together.

Injuries hammered the top end of the Strikeforce: Champions fight card, necessitating its reformation as Marquardt vs. Saffiedine.

Strikeforce officials have since unleashed a string of bouts this week, keeping the Jan. 12 date intact.

The latest additions to Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine are Jorge Gurgel vs. Adriano Martins and Estevan Payan vs. Michael Bravo. Both bouts are likely to be a part of the preliminary portion of the event.

The fight card now officially stands at 10 bouts with the preliminary bouts airing on ShoExtreme and the main card on Showtime. A fight between Josh Barnett and Nandor Guelmino is also expected to be added before all is said and done.

Strikeforce welterweight champion Nate Marquardt puts his newly minted belt on the line against Tarec Saffiedine in what is expected to be the final Strikeforce main event.

The promotion has suffered through a rocky relationship with Showtime since Zuffa – the UFC’s parent company – purchased Strikeforce in 2011.

All indications are that the two are expected to part ways following the January event with the UFC likely absorbing most of the top Strikeforce talent.

Stay tuned to MMAWeekly.com for all the latest Strikeforce news and updates.