Strikeforce: Four Fights Green Lit For March 3 Event

With one show in the books, Strikeforce is already hard at work preparing for their 2012 sophomore effort.

Following the conclusion of Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine, Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker confirmed four fights for an as-of-yet unnamed event slated for March 3rd at Columbus, Ohio's Nationwide Arena.

As expected, Strikeforce women's 135-pound champion Miesha Tate (12-2) will defend her belt against heralded prospect Ronda Rousey (4-0) on the night's main card. In addition, lightweights K.J. Noons (11-4) vs. Josh Thomson (18-4), welterweights Paul Daley (29-11-2) vs. Kazuo Misaki (24-11-2) and women's bantamweights Alexis Davis (11-4) vs. Sarah Kaufman (14-1) will meet at the event.

Officials reportedly hope to tap the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix finals, between Daniel Cormier (9-0) and Josh Barnett (31-5), as the card's headliner, though concerns with Cormier's broken hand may delay plans. Nonetheless, Coker expects to know Cormier's timetable shortly.

With four straight armbar wins in a combined 2 minutes and 18 seconds, the 24-year-old Rousey has quickly become one of the most viable prospects in the women's divisions. After a prolonged media campaign, she'll now take on Tate, a five-year veteran and winner of six straight.

Meanwhile, former Strikeforce lightweight champion Thomson returns after a year layoff to climb back into the title discussion against Noons, who recently snapped a two-fight losing streak with a unanimous decision win against Billy Evangelista.

Former UFC contender Daley also makes his Strikeforce return after ripping through consecutive decision victories over Jordan Radev and Luigi Fioravanti outside the promotion. He'll face Japanese veteran Misaki, who carries his own two-fight streak into the bout after TKO wins over Mike Seal and Akira Shoji.

Finally, Davis and Kaufman battle in what will likely be a number-one contender match for the women's 135-pound division. The 27-year-old Davis has stormed through three straight victories since falling to Elaina Maxwell, while the 26-year-old Kaufman recently capped a two-fight streak with a hard-fought win against Liz Carmouche.