Roger Gracie vs. Anthony Smith Joins January 12th "Strikeforce: Champions" Card

ROGER GRACIE VS. ANTHONY SMITH JOINS JAN. 12 'STRIKEFORCE: CHAMPIONS' CARD
BY MMAJUNKIE.COM STAFF ON NOV 29, 2012 AT 8:20 PM ET

January's quickly filling "Stikeforce: Champions" card has yet another addition.

Middleweights Roger Gracie (5-1 MMA, 3-1 SF) and Anthony Smith (17-8 MMA, 2-1 SF) have agreed to fight at the Jan. 12 event.

MMAjunkie.com today confirmed the bout with sources close to the event following an initial report from MMA Opinion.

"Strikeforce: Champions" takes place at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City. The main card airs on Showtime, though Gracie vs. Smith is expected to be part of the Showtime Extreme-televised prelims.

Gracie, a Brazilian jiujitsu black belt and multi-time world champion grappler, fights for the first time since July, when he scored a decision victory over big-show vet Keith Jardine. Prior to that, he won his first four pro fights (all via submission) before a knockout loss to Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal in September 2011.

Smith, meanwhile, is currently on an impressive 9-1 run, and the lone loss came to Adlan Amagov at Strikeforce Challengers 20. Since then, the well-rounded fighter has won three consecutive fights, including a submission victory over Lumumba Sayers in August. It was his 17th stoppage in 17 career wins.

The latest "Strikeforce: Champions" card now includes:

Champ Nate Marquardt vs. Tarec Saffiedine - for welterweight title
Daniel Cormier vs. Dion Staring
Gegard Mousasi vs. Mike Kyle
Josh Barnett vs. Nandor Guelmino*
Ryan Couture vs. K.J. Noons
Pat Healy vs. Jorge Masvidal*
Roger Gracie vs. Anthony Smith*

* - Not officially announced