Jared Hamman Replaces "Babalu" Against Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante

by Chris Nelson on Apr 24, 2009 3:28 AM EDT in MMA News

Sherdog's Loretta Hunt with the scoop:

Touted Brazilian Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante will face fellow Pro Elite veteran Jared Hamman in a featured light heavyweight bout for Strikeforce "Lawler vs. Shields" on June 6 at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis.

Representatives from both fighters’ camps confirmed the bout to Sherdog.com on Thursday.

The matchup replaces a previously announced tilt for the Strikeforce light heavyweight title between champion Renato "Babalu" Sobral and Feijao. Sobral withdrew from the bout last week to prepare for the birth of his second daughter in late May.

Sobral will defend his title against the winner of the June contender’s bout.

Can't hate on this matchup - Hamman and Bobby Southworth were probably the best replacements available to Strikeforce and either would have been a solid test for "Feijao" on a card that's shaping up to be pretty interesting. Here's how it stands:

Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Scottrade Center, St. Louis, MO

Main Card
Robbie Lawler (16-4) vs. Jake Shields (22-4-1)
Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante (7-1) vs. Jared Hamman (10-1)
Joe Riggs (29-10) vs. Phil Baroni (13-10)
Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos (16-12) vs. TBA

Preliminary Card
Jesse Finney (3-0) vs. Josh Bumgarner (0-0)
Tyron “Tabasco” Woodley (1-0) vs. Sal Woods (2-4)
Scott Ventimiglia (12-5) vs. Lucas Lopes (8-8)
Pat Benson (3-5-1) vs. Dave Cochran (16-19)
Booker DeRousse (1-1) vs. James Wade (0-0)

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good fight...

I can dig this

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

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by Brent Brookhouse on Apr 23, 2009 11:56 PM EDT reply actions

This card need Overeem to defend his title badly there is little interest that I have in it after Babalu dropped out hopefully the guys at Strikeforce will be able to pull it off because right now this card is weak.

by Raker on Apr 24, 2009 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

I disagree.

There are some very compelling matchups (especially on the main card): Lawler- Shields, Feijao Hamman, Riggs- NYBA, and Cyborg Santos (who’s always exciting; maybe they can put him up against someone like Diabate or Southworth).

Also, Finney could be a decent prospect, as could ‘Tabasco’ Woodley. Not to mention Ventimigllia, who’s a pretty well traveled veteran of the sport (he’s even fought Jeremy Horn and Joe Doerksen).

Supporting all Las Vegas MMA.

'09 is the year of the FW's.

by ElliotMatheny on Apr 26, 2009 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Babalu is holding out for Ortiz to sign so they can have their big fight for the title. Its smart since Feijao was probably about to beat him

by EazyEismydad on Apr 24, 2009 12:31 AM EDT reply actions

I am backing this card as well.

Unrelated note: I shook hands with Riggs at the last event, and that dude is fucking SMALL. How the hell did he ever weigh 300 lbs?

by Farthammer on Apr 24, 2009 12:31 AM EDT reply actions

It’s not a particularly meaningful card outside of Feijao-Hamman and Shields-Lawler (especially if Shields could win) but the fights they’ve got announced for the main card so far will all be hella fun and I’m amped that Mr. Cyborg is back.

And yeah, Riggs – hard to believe dude was ever this big. I’m glad he’s got his life back in order after everything.

by Chris Nelson on Apr 24, 2009 12:58 AM EDT up reply actions

Yep this card should be some fun. And that picture of Riggs is horrifying.

"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR

by Rundownloser on Apr 24, 2009 1:03 AM EDT up reply actions

That's not even him at 300.

What is that, 210?

by asa on Apr 24, 2009 8:37 AM EDT up reply actions

He’s about 6ft. so I’d say 240-250?

by Chris Nelson on Apr 24, 2009 9:17 AM EDT up reply actions

It’s nice to see that Strikeforce is televising the right fights.

by FRANKIE on Apr 24, 2009 1:38 AM EDT reply actions

Good Replacement!

Jared Hamman definitely deserves a shot against Feijao after his defeat of BJ Penn standout Suganuma. Hamman is a tough fight for anyone and should make this fight a meaningful fight for the winner. This fight or Randleman would be what would make sense, and Strikeforce did the right thing.

Great card! I can’t wait for this one.

P.S.
You are forgetting Joey Villasenor possibly fighting Cyborg and Gurgel on this card.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Apr 24, 2009 2:44 AM EDT reply actions

Gurgel at 185?

I thought he fought at 155? Thats a big jump.

by Gunslinger20 on Apr 24, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions

Oh no,

I meant Gurgel on the card, not Gurgel fighting Joey or Cyborg…LOL.
Gurgel would get raped.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Apr 24, 2009 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Is Cyborg fighting at Middleweight or Light Heavyweight? I’ve heard conflicting info, and I know he fought at 185 in Sengoku. If he is battling at 205, I wouldn’t mind him getting paired against Randleman.

by madiq on Apr 24, 2009 11:43 AM EDT reply actions