SUNRISE, Fla. -- With the Strikeforce Challengers VI event on Feb. 26 filing up, the organization is now turning it's attention to the March 26 Strikeforce Challengers VII show. MMA Fighting has learned that the organization is targeting a main event involving Lavar Johnson (13-3) and Lolohea Mahe (4-1), as well as a 135-pound women's fight between Miesha Tate (8-2) and Zoila Frausto (4-0). MMA Fighting has also confirmed that the previously reported Andre Galvao-Luke Stewart is also expected to take place on the card.
In addition to those fights, Abongo Humphrey (5-1), who lost to Brett Rogers in heavyweight action last April, will drop down to light heavyweight to face a yet to be determined opponent.
Bout agreements have yet to be signed for the aforementioned fights.
Lavar Johnson's potential involvement on the card is particularly intriguing considering he was shot multiple times in July. At the time of the incident, it was unclear whether he would live, let alone fight again, and now here he is, making his return to MMA just eight months later. "Big" has won his last five fights in a row, most recently defeating Carl Seumanutafa via 18-second knockout in May.
His opponent, Mahe, will be making his Strikeforce debut. He is currently 4-1, and fought to a draw against TUF 10 alum Scott Junk.
Tate last competed for Strikeforce in May, losing to Sarah Kaufman via unanimous decision. She recently told MMA Fighting that she would like to fight Frausto.
"I think she's just a little too cocky," she said. "I think it would be a good fight."
Tate, who defeated Valerie Coolbaugh earlier this month, said she didn't appreciate some of the comments Frausto wrote on her MySpace page following her Strikeforce debut victory over Elisha Helsper in November.
Strikeforce Challengers VII is set take place at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif., and will be televised on Showtime.
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