Two light heavyweight bouts have been added to September's rapidly filling "Strikeforce: Heavyweight Grand Prix Semifinals" card. According to promotion officials, former light heavyweight champion Rafael Cavalcante (10-3) will take on Yoel Romero (4-0), and UFC veteran Mike Kyle (18-8-1) will battle Marcos Rogerio de Lima (8-0).
Cavalcante returns to the cage for the first time since losing his light heavyweight title to Dan Henderson via TKO in early March. Previously the 30-year-old Brazilian had won three straight fights under the Strikeforce banner, including a dominating third-round knockout of Muhammed Lawal.
Romero is an undefeated Cuban prospect scheduled to make his Strikeforce and North American debut. The 34-year-old carries a Freestyle Wrestling Olympic silver medal to his credit, and has won all four of his fights via knockout -- including three in the first round.
Kyle is the current King of the Cage light heavyweight champion and a three-time UFC veteran. He last fought at "Strikeforce: Henderson vs. Babalu II," where he faced Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva in a heavyweight contest. After entering the bout with a severe 46 pound weight disadvantage, Kyle submitted to strikes midway through the second round.
Known as "Pezao," de Lima is set to make his promotional debut after racking up eight straight victories to start his professional career. Known for his dangerous striking ability, the Brazilian has finished all but one of his opponents via punches. He enters the bout following the biggest win of his young career -- a third round destruction of former WEC champion Paulo Filho.
"Strikeforce Heavyweight World Grand Prix: Barnett vs. Kharitonov" is scheduled for September 10th at U.S. Bank Arena, in Cincinnati, Ohio. The night's main card is set to air live on Showtime and is headlined by two semifinal bouts within the Strikeforce Heavyweight grand prix -- Josh Barnett vs. Sergei Kharitonov and Antonio Silva vs. Daniel Cormier.
Updated "Strikeforce: Heavyweight Grand Prix Semi-Finals" fight card:
Main card (aired on Showtime):
Heavyweight Grand Prix Semifinal: Josh Barnett vs. Sergei Kharitonov
Heavyweight Grand Prix Semifinal: Antonio Silva vs. Daniel Cormier
Middleweight Championship: Ronaldo Souza vs. Luke Rockhold
Light Heavyweight: Muhammed Lawal vs. Roger Gracie
Lightweight: Josh Thomson vs. Maximo Blanco
Preliminary card:
Welterweight: Evangelista Santos vs. Jordan Mein
Light Heavyweight: Mike Kyle vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima
Light Heavyweight: Rafael Cavalcante vs. Yoel Romero Palacio