According to a Jan. 15 report from Bloody Elbow, UFC Tonight announced the list of Strikeforce fighters heading to the UFC.
“There’s a Strikefoce invasion coming to UFC. It all starts at the top with heavyweight grand prix champion Daniel Cormier who will be fighting on April 20 at UFC ON FOX against Frank Mir in the co-main event," Fuel TV reporter Ariel Helwani said on the show. "At 205, the guy to watch out for is Gegard Mousasi. We’ve been waiting so long to see him fight in the UFC. He wants a top-five name right away. At 185, everyone knows Luke Rockhold is coming to the UFC, but how about another Gracie, Roger, who is coming over. He’s looked very good at 185. Look for him to build on what his family member Royce Gracie did in the UFC many moons ago. At 170, if Tarec Saffiedine had lost last weekend, I was told he wouldn’t be coming to the UFC, but he looked great and won the Strikeforce Welterweight Championship and now will be coming to the UFC. At 155, we know Gilbert Melendez is coming over, but history will be made at 155 when Ryan Couture, son of Randy Couture, will come to the UFC and will be the first father – son duo in history to fight in the Octagon. There will be a lot more to look for in 2013 as well.”
Strikeforce's light heavyweight division will be represented in the UFC with the addition of Long Island's Gian Villante, along with Gegard Mousasi (33-3-2).
Villante, a 27-year-old Wantagh resident, is riding a three-fight win streak, including back-to-back victories over top-ranked contenders.
Villante knocked out Trevor Smith on Jan. 7, 2012 at the Strikeforce: Rockhold vs Jardine event, and he earned a decision win over Derrick Mehmen on May 19, 2012 at Strikeforce's Barnett vs Cormier event.
Undefeated heavyweight standout Daniel Cormier is also headed to the UFC, along with middleweights Luke Rockhold (10-1), Ronaldo Souza (17-3, 1 NC), Lorenz Larkin (13-0, 1 NC), Tim Kennedy (15-4) and Roger Gracie (6-1).
Cormier fights Frank Mir on Apr. 20.
At welterweight, Strikeforce talents Tarec Saffiedine (14-3), Nate Marquardt (32-11-2), Jason High (16-3), Roger Bowling (11-3) and Bobby Voelker (24-8), earned received UFC deals.
The UFC lightweight division will see the addition of Strikeforce talents Gilbert Melendez (21-2), Josh Thomson (19-5), Pat Healy (29-16), K.J. Noons (11-6), Ryan Couture (6-1), Adriano Martins (24-6) and Kurt Holobaugh (8-1).
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