MMA & Boxing · Strikeforce · 2013

Date & time

12 Jan 2013, 01:00

Round

1

Venue

Chesapeake Energy Arena

Location

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States

Strikeforce 43: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine was the final mixed martial arts event held by Strikeforce. The event took place on January 12, 2013 at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The event aired live on Showtime. Background: This was the final event for Strikeforce before the organization was folded and merged with the UFC. Luke Rockhold was scheduled to defend his Strikeforce Middleweight Championship for the last time against Lorenz Larkin at this event, but was forced off the card due to injuries. Larkin was instead matched up with former champion Ronaldo Souza in late November, but on December 20, it was announced that UFC middleweight Ed Herman would be facing Souza instead, making him the only person to cross over to fight in Strikeforce while still under a UFC contract. Gilbert Melendez was scheduled to defend his Strikeforce Lightweight Championship at this event against Pat Healy, but he too was forced out of the bout with an injury. Instead, Healy was matched up with Jorge Masvidal, but after Masvidal suffered a back injury, he was replaced in the Healy bout with promotional newcomer Kurt Holobaugh. The Healy/Masvidal fight would later be rescheduled for UFC on FOX 11 in April 2014, over a year after their move to the UFC after the Strikeforce merger, where Masvidal won via unanimous decision. AXS TV personality and Inside MMA reporter Ron Kruck handled commentary at this event in place of Mauro Ranallo, who was absent due to a private family matter. Kruck had previously done backstage interviews for Strikeforce preliminary cards broadcast on AXS TV when it was still known as HDNet. Main Card: Welterweight / Nate Marquardt (c) vs. Tarec Saffiedine Heavyweight / Daniel Cormier vs. Dion Staring Heavyweight / Josh Barnett vs. Nandor Guelmino Light Heavyweight / Gegard Mousasi vs. Mike Kyle Catchweight / Ronaldo Souza vs. Ed Herman Preliminary Card: Lightweight / Ryan Couture vs. K.J. Noons Middleweight / Tim Kennedy vs. Trevor Smith Lightweight / Pat Healy vs. Kurt Holobaugh Middleweight / Roger Gracie vs. Anthony Smith Lightweight / Adriano Martins vs. Jorge Gurgel Lightweight / Estevan Payan vs. Mike Bravo