Strikeforce is looking to book a middleweight match-up between Robbie Lawler and Ronaldo Souza on the same card that will feature the Fedor Emelianenko vs. Brett Rogers bout later this year on Showtime. Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker informed FanHouse of the news at the Emelianenko public workout at the FightHouse gym in New York City on Wednesday.Coker said that he has yet to talk to Lawler's manager, Monte Cox, about the fight, but is hopeful a deal can be reached.
Cox told FanHouse on Wednesday that he would prefer to see Lawler fight a striker, but would be open to the bout.
"[Coker] hasn't spoke to me about it at all," Cox said. "Robbie is going to fight top people. I would rather Robbie fight a striker. We would like to find Robbie someone that would stand up and throw punches with us, but they have to do what they have to do.
"We wanted to fight on the last show. we're certainly ready to fight on this one."
Coker also said that Matt Lindland is expected to make his Strikeforce debut on the same card, but no decision has been made on whether the Jason "Mayhem" Miller vs. Jake Shields interim middleweight title bout will also take place on the same card.
Strikeforce is looking to hold their next major Showtime event towards the end of October or early November. No final decision has been on the location, however, Minnesota is one of the leading candidates to host it.
Lawler made his Strikeforce debut in June, losing to Shields via first-round guillotine submission. This would mark Souza's first Strikeforce fight. The Brazilian's last fight against Miller at DREAM.9 ended in a no contest when Miller landed an illegal kick, which open a large cut on his forehead.
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