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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
Shinya Aoki will return to Strikeforce on April 9 for the first time since losing a five round decision to Gilbert Melendez last April at Strikeforce: Nashville, and now he's got his opponent.
According to a report from MMA-Japan.com, Aoki has signed on to meet Lyle "Fancy Pants" Beerbohm on the Strikeforce: Daley vs. Diaz card, though at this time it's not clear if the fight will be broadcast on television.
Aoki won three straight fights in Japan in 2010 following the Melendez loss, submitting Tatsuya Kawajiri and Yokthai Sithoar along with winning a decision over Marcus Aurelio. However, Aoki closed out 2010 with a knockout loss to kickboxer Yuichiro Nagashima in a unique mixed rules bout.
Beerbohm lost for the first time in his four year career last month, dropping a decision to Pat Healy at Strikeforce Challengers 14. The loss snapped a 16 fight win streak to begin his career.
Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley airs live on Showtime on April 9 from San Diego, headlined by two title fights in Nick Diaz vs. Paul Daley and Gilbert Melendez vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri.
Penick's Analysis: I actually like this fight. It's a step up for Beerbohm after a loss to Pat Healy to fight perennially top 10 ranked Aoki, but he's a hell of a grappler and it will make for an entertaining fight. All I'm left wondering is what Strikeforce does with this preliminary card. With two title fights, they're only likely to air two more fights on the Showtime broadcast, and one of those is Gegard Mousasi vs. Mike Kyle. So, unless they're airing prelims on HDNet again - and there's no guarantee that they will - there are some good fighters that won't be broadcast, as K.J. Noons and Hiroyuki Takaya are both rumored for fights on the event as well. Still, this is a good lightweight matchup.
UPDATE: Sergio Non at USA Today reports that Strikeforce officials have confirmed that this fight will take place on the April 9 card. Still no word on whether or not it will be televised.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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