LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Two days ago former Strikeforce middleweight champion Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza (14-3) saw his main card fight next week at Strikeforce – Tate vs. Rousey get put in jeopardy, when the state of Ohio refused to license his original opponent, the undefeated Derek Brunson (9-0). Brunson was unfortunately forced off the card on Tuesday after he failed a pre-fight vision test.
Many wondered if the fight would be scrapped altogether, but Strikeforce was quick to find a last-minute replacement in current SCC middleweight champion Bristol Marunde. Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker announced the fight on his official Twitter account this morning and Marunde confirmed it on his Facebook page.
Marunde (15-6) currently trains with Cameron Diffley at the Throwdown Training Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. He has made a name for himself as a tough, well-rounded, and experienced fighter in the IFL, M-1 Global, and SCC promotions. He has won 9 of his last 10 fights, which includes wins over current UFC fighter Rich Attonito, TUF 3 veteran Noah Inhofer, and TUF 8 veteran Shane Primm. In November, he won the SCC middleweight title by defeating UFC and Bellator veteran Jay Silva.
Souza and Marunde will square off in a middleweight bout, which is scheduled to air on Showtime as part of the main card of Strikeforce – Tate vs. Rousey, which will take place at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday, March 3rd, 2012. This will be the second show that Strikeforce has hosted alongside the Arnold Sports Festival, which annually draws up to 150,000 sports fans.