MMA & Boxing · Strikeforce · 2012

Date & time

3 Mar 2012, 01:00

Round

2

Venue

Nationwide Arena

Location

Columbus, Ohio, United States

Strikeforce 39: Tate vs. Rousey was a mixed martial arts event that was held by Strikeforce. It took place on March 3, 2012 at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, United States. Background: The event was expected to host the finals of Strikeforce's Heavyweight Grand Prix with Josh Barnett taking on Daniel Cormier, but the bout did not materialize due to Cormier's lingering hand injury. The finals were instead held at Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Cormier that May, where Cormier won the tournament via unanimous decision. Gegard Mousasi was expected to face Mike Kyle at this event, but Kyle withdrew due to injury. The bout was rescheduled for Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine the following January, where Mousasi submitted Kyle in the first round. Derek Brunson was scheduled to face Ronaldo Souza on this card. However, the Ohio State Athletic Commission denied Brunson's fight license based on an eye exam he had submitted. Bristol Marunde signed as his replacement. The Souza/Brunson bout was rescheduled for Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman that August, where Souza won via first-round knockout. Main Card: Women's Bantamweight / Strikeforce Women's Bantamweight Championship / Miesha Tate (c) vs. Ronda Rousey Lightweight / Josh Thomson vs. K.J. Noons Welterweight / Kazuo Misaki vs. Paul Daley Middleweight / Ronaldo Souza vs. Bristol Marunde Preliminary Card: Middleweight / Lumumba Sayers vs. Scott Smith Women's Bantamweight / Sarah Kaufman vs. Alexis Davis Lightweight / Pat Healy vs. Caros Fodor Welterweight / Roger Bowling vs. Brandon Saling Lightweight / Ryan Couture vs. Conor Heun