A proposed middleweight bout between Strikeforce champion Jake Shields and Dan Henderson on CBS in April has not been finalized, according to the promotion.
Henderson fueled speculation that the bout was a done deal on Thursday during an appearance on ESPN’s “MMA Live” show. The two-time Olympic wrestler was asked if he’d be fighting at middleweight or light heavyweight in his Strikeforce debut in April.
“It will be at 185 against Jake Shields,” Henderson told “MMA Live.”
Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker told Sherdog.com that negotiations for the bout are still ongoing.
“That’s the fight we want,” said Coker.
Henderson, a former top-5 UFC middleweight, signed a four-fight, 16-month deal with Strikeforce last December following months of stalled negotiations with the rival promotion. The only fighter to ever hold two simultaneous titles for Pride Fighting Championships, Henderson was in direct line for a championship bout against Anderson Silva when he decided to walk away from the promotion. Silva submitted Henderson at UFC 82 in March 2008.
Former EliteXC 170-pound champion Shields, who’s fought a majority of his career at welterweight, earned the vacant title against Jason “Mayhem” Miller at Strikeforce “Fedor vs. Rogers” on Nov. 7 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
Strikeforce: Shields-Henderson Not Signed Yet