Jeff Monson signs with Strikeforce, meets Daniel Cormier in June
Posted on May 15, 2011, 07:19 PM by Joey Santosus
UFC veteran Jeff Monson has signed with Strikeforce and will meet undefeated Heavyweight prospect Daniel Cormier at the promotion's upcoming Overeem vs. Werdum event in Dallas.
Strikeforce officials confirmed the match-up on Sunday.
Cormier (7-0) was originally scheduled to face fellow up and comer Shane del Rosario on the June card, but found himself without an opponent when an automobile accident left del Rosario sidelined. Instead, the AKA trained fighter will face, perhaps, his toughest test to date in the "Snowman."
Since debuting with the promotion in 2009, Cormier has finished all but one of his four opponents, most recently picking up a unanimous decision victory over Devin Cole at Strikeforce Challengers 13 in January.
Monson (42-11), meanwhile, comes into the bout riding an eight-fight win streak. With a storied resume dating back 14-years, the accomplished BJJ black-belt has competed in various promotions all over the world, with 26 of his 42 victories coming by way of submission. Monson parted ways with the UFC in 2006 after a failed attempt at dethroning then-Heavyweight champ Tim Sylvia. Though he left the promotion in hopes of fighting Fedor Emelianenko, the bout never materialized.
Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum is set to take place June 18th from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. A pair of Heavyweight Grand Prix quarterfinal bouts will headline the stacked card, one of which features division Champion Alistair Overeem going head to head with Fabricio Werdum, while the other pits Josh Barnett against Brett Rogers.
Tim Sylvia, right, fights Jeff Monson during the Ultimate Fighting Championship UFC 65 at the Arco Arena in Sacramento, CA, on November 18, 2006. Photo credit: Francis Specker
Comments
This fight should be interesting.
Cormier has the grappling to suppress monson BJJ. im expecting a 1 rd tko win from the olympian
hmm with Monson's MMA experience+NCAA Div wrestling+Black belt BJJ,
Cormier may have problems
I'm so happy this fight is happening now that it will silence the people who've been saying monson is a top 10 heavyweight. Just because he's been on a win streak against cans doesn't make him elite level and I'm banking on him baing exposed against a great prospect like Cormier. Nothing against Monson, I actually like him as a fighter but some people on here give way more credit than he deserves for what he's done recently.
Should be interesting to see who turns out to be right on this one. I'm a Monson believer. He only has two weaknesses and can't improve either. 1) Height, and 2) Age.
Did someone just feel a chill in the air? Oh, yeah, the Snowman is coming to Strikeforce? Oh. . . wait. . . I forgot. . . I don't really care.
At least he had that big win over Jason Guida. . . Damn, I forgot.
Everyone beats Jason Guida.
Jeffs such an underrated fighter, hes got 53 fights with 42 wins plus wins over sergei karatinov and roy ****in nelson!! plus hes an adcc champ and has a pro boxin record too
His boxing blows and his win over Roy was questionable to say the least. I thought he was gonna fight at LHW when he signed with a big promotion....
That's what I thought too. There was an interview on here awhile back with him saying that.
He did say that he would like to compete at 205, but sometimes which division the promotion wants you to compete in plays a role in negotiations. They needed an opponent for Cormier, so its possible that he may transition after this fight. There was no mention as to whether he is now an alternate for the Grand Prix. Del Rosario was tho, so if he wins it would make sense obviously. With that possibility on the table, maybe he feels its a good opportunity.
yeah just sayin he is a good fighter, he might not be the p4p greatest fighter of all time, but hes a relatively experienced fighter with big fights
and fought everywhere and can present some challenges to any lhw or hw
good news for strike force monson was probably the best unsigned hw in the world and should easily beat cormier.
your crazy if you think anyone is going to beat Cormier easily
Grappling war