Brazilian magazine Tatame reports:
Heavyweight Geronimo “Mondragon” [Dos Santos] is training hard for the biggest fight of his career. After winning eight of his last nine bouts in Brazil, the athlete will face Josh Barnett, former UFC champion, in Strikeforce on July 17th. The show will mark the first for the American promotion outside of the United States, bringing the best of fighting to Australia.
“I signed the contract today. I’m very happy with this news,” the heavyweight told Tatame, excited for the fight. “He’s experienced, his ground game is very good, compared to mine, so I’ll try to keep this fight standing… I’ll go for the knockout, I’m going to win this fight.”
Geronimo dos Santos (17-8) had been rumored to sign with the UFC before having his eight-fight win streak snapped with a lackluster performance against Edson “Conterraneo” Franca in Wallid Ismail’s Jungle Fight promotion back in February. Barnett (25-5) last fought in Dream against sparring partner “Mighty Mo” Siliga in an ugly, foul-ridden bout which Barnett eventually won by submission.
Minutes after Tatame’s post went up, Strikeforce posted this message to their official Twitter account:
hang tight guys! big announcement coming today!
So… hang tight.
UPDATED 4:07pm ET – According to Chris Postupalski of InfiniteMMA, the show will not be held under the Strikeforce name, but rather by a new promotion named Impact MMA. Three shows could be held within a matter of weeks in cities such as Sydney, Brisbane and Auckland, New Zealand. Barnett vs. Dos Santos has been tabbed for a July 10th card in Brisbane, Australia.
UPDATED 4:34pm ET – “Mondragon” has called Tatame to correct his initial statement:
“I’m sorry, I misspoke. I signed the contract, the fight will even be against Josh Barnett, but it will be in Impact MMA, a new event in Australia… If I win, I’m going to Strikeforce, I’m so excited that I misspoke.”