If you thought the Shields vs. Lawler card was stacked for a Strikeforce card, their August follow-up at the HP Pavilion in San Jose may change your mind.  It is being reported that Strikeforce is working on setting up Diaz vs. Riggs at 170 and also giving ADCC grappling extraordinaire, Roger Gracie, his debut bout with the organization. It is also reported that Ralek Gracie, who last competed in DREAM a year ago will also be joining Strikeforce.  If this is true, it will appear that Strikeforce has the full support of the Cesar Gracie camp, as well as the other Gracie prospects coming up in MMA. Gracie Magazine reports:

Not having stepped in the ring since last May, when he submitted Yuki Kondo at Sengoku and brought his record to two wins in two appearances, in MMA, Roger Gracie will be one of the attractions August 15 at Strikeforce. The bout should be officially announced by the organizers next week. For the time being no opponent has been named for the black belt's debut on American soil.

 Rumored August 15 Strikeforce Card:

STRIKEFORCE: AUGUST 15, 2009 ON SHOWTIME
venue: HP Pavilion in San Jose, California

 Showtime Card:
-Gina Carano (7-0) vs. Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos (7-1)
-Josh Thomson (16-2) vs. Gilbert Melendez (15-2)
-Alistair Overeem (29-11) vs. Brett Rogers (11-0)
-Roger Gracie (2-0) vs. TBA

Rumored Bouts:
-Nick Diaz (20-7) vs. Joe Riggs (30-10)
-Jake Shields (23-4-1) vs. Matt Lindland (21-6)

Undercard:
-Erin Toughill (10-2-1) vs. TBA
-Billy Evangelista (9-1) vs. TBA
-Poppies Martinez (16-5) vs. TBA

Rumored Participant:
-Fabricio Werdum (11-4-1) vs. TBA (possibly Tim Sylvia?)

Nick Diaz vs. Joe Riggs, Jake Shields vs. Matt Lindland, Roger Gracie, and Fabricio Werdum are fighters that are currently rumored for this already stacked event.

More after the jump...

 Roger Gracie is just coming off winning the 2009 World BJJ Championships, beating all of his 9 opponents by choke from the mount. Previous to this year's success, he had also won the BJJ world Championship the Mundials a record 8 times including 6 time in this weight class and twice at open weight. He is a great HW prospect, already 2-0 in MMA beating Ron Waterman and Yuki Kondo, both by submissions. 

Ralek Gracie is 2-0 in MMA, after defeating both of his opponents by armbar, and is only 23 years old, which would be a great addition to their LHW class.  He is the son of Rorion Gracie, who is one of the founders of the UFC, back in 1992.  You would wonder what it would do to Strikeforce and the Gracie name if they can all grow with each other and become champions in one promotion. 

 

Having Roger Gracie, Ralek Gracie, Jake shields, Nick Diaz, and Gilbert Melendez compete for belts in one promotion would be an incredible feat and resurrection for the Gracie name. It would also help the California based promotion grow with names that are synonymous with BJJ and MMA.

Also scheduled for the August Strikeforce event is Erin Toughill (10-2-1), who will most likely become the #1 challenger at the 145 lbs weight class with a win at the event.  She would challenge the champion at that weight class, which will be crowed on the same day when Gina Carano takes on Cyborg Santos to crown the first ever women's title for the promotions. MMAJunkie reports:

"Erin brings a great deal of experience to the cage, and she's very strong," Afromowitz said. "She's been in the game for a while, and she's certainly earned the right to be recognized as one of the best fighters in the women's featherweight division.

"Erin is definitely a great addition to our organization, and we're excited to bring her into Strikeforce on the same night we award our first-ever women's title to either Gina Carano or Cristiane 'Cyborg' Santos."

Tito Ortiz Signing With Strikeforce (4 Fight Deal) For October Showdown With Babalu?

Tonight at UCFC (ultimate cage fighting championship) in pittsburgh.

he made a guest appearance in the ring, and spoke to the crowd for a few minutes.

- said he will fight again in october

- has a 4 fight deal with strikeforce

- is gonna fight babalu, and actually referred to him as "baba who?"

- said he wants to fight fedor, and if he will meet him at a 210lb catch weight, he will, and i quote, "put a crushin on that russian."