Strikeforce Champions Nick Diaz, Jacare Souza Conf. Call Thursday

STRIKEFORCE WORLD CHAMPIONS NICK DIAZ & JACARE SOUZA To Hold Media Conference  Call Thursday, Jan. 20, at 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT

WHO:         STRIKEFORCE Welterweight World Champion Nick Diaz
                    STRIKEFORCE Middleweight World Champion Jacare Souza
                    STRIKEFORCE CEO Scott Coker 

WHEN:    Thursday, Jan. 20, at 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT

ACCESS #:    (888) 299-4099 (U.S. Toll Free), (866) 682-1172 (Canadian Toll Free), (302) 709-8337 (International Toll). Ask for STRIKEFORCE/SHOWTIME Call (Verbal Passcode:33236)

WHAT:    The world champions and Coker will participate in a national media conference call to discuss the fighters’ upcoming title defenses on a World Championship Doubleheader on Saturday, Jan. 29, at HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif., live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

    Diaz (23-7, 1 NC) will make his second title defense when he faces Brazilian powerhouse Evangelista Cyborg (18-13) in the main event.  In the co-main event, Souza (13-2, 1 NC) will put his world title on the line for the first time when he squares off with power-punching knockout artist “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler (18-6, 1 NC).  

Diaz, of Stockton, Calif. has been unstoppable of late, winning his last eight fights.  In his most recent outing, the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt won a unanimous decision over arch-nemesis KJ Noons on Oct. 9 at HP Pavilion on SHOWTIME.  

The Brazilian Souza, also a BJJ black belt, captured the title last August when he earned a hard-fought unanimous decision over American military hero Tim Kennedy.  A submission specialist, Jacare has tapped out 10 of his 13 opponents.    

In other featured televised fights on SHOWTIME, football legend and MMA upstart Herschel Walker (1-0) will return to the cage to face Scott Carson (4-1) in a heavyweight bout.  Also, the latest prospect from MMA’s first family, undefeated Roger Gracie (3-0), will battle former South African national wrestling champion and MMA star Trevor Prangley (23-6-1) at light heavyweight (205 pounds).  

CONTACT:    Mike Afromowitz, STRIKEFORCE, (917) 566-8754,  mafromowitz@strikeforce.com
Chris DeBlasio, Showtime Networks Inc. (212) 708-1633 Chris.DeBlasio@Showtime.net
Annie Van Tornhout, Showtime Networks (212) 708-1663 Annie.VanTornhout@Showtime.net
Steve Pratt, Brener Zwikel & Assoc. (818) 462-5602 SteveP@bzapr.com
John Beyrooty, Brener Zwikel & Assoc. (562) 233-7477 JohnnyBey@aol.com