According to a number of sources that include Newsday.com and Loretta Hunt, Strikeforce has signed Ring of Combat Light Heavyweight champion Gian Villante (7-1):
Gian Villante, a two-time champion in Ring of Combat and Levittown native, has signed a multifight contract with Strikeforce, Newsday has learned.
Villante will make his Strikeforce debut in the heavyweight division against Chad Griggs on the Feb. 12 card at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, N.J.
Hunt confirmed via her Twitter that this is a reserve match-up, but it’s likely that the grand prix tournament won’t need a third alternate unless major injuries occur over the course of the tournament.
For those who don’t know who Villante is, give it a few days as Villante is one of our top three picks in our 2011 World MMA Light Heavyweight Scouting Report. Most of the media outlets are reporting this as a solid signing in the context that Villante is a local draw, but he has the potential to be a top ten light heavyweight fighter in the future.