By ADAM HILL
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

Gina Carano, shown at a news conference last year for the now-defunct EliteXC mixed martial arts organization, has been picked up by Strikeforce and will take on Cristiane Santos on an Aug. 15 card. Photo by The Associated Press

Strikeforce put on one of its biggest cards to date on Showtime on Saturday night, but the young organization made just as much of a splash with a fight announcement during the broadcast.

Having finally secured Gina Carano's rights, Strikeforce announced that she will make her debut with the organization against Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos on Aug. 15 in San Jose, Calif.

EliteXC had both fighters under contract and was working toward a bout between the two when it went bankrupt.

Carano, a 27-year-old Las Vegan, has not fought since Oct. 4 as the details of her contract with EliteXC were sorted through.

Jake Shields took just 2:02 to submit Robbie Lawler in Saturday night's main event, and Nick Diaz, Joe Riggs and Mike Whitehead all picked up victories.

Brett Rogers might have been the big winner from the card, though. He knocked out former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski in just 22 seconds to remain undefeated.

The win gave Rogers instant credibility and probably propels him into a bout with Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem.

Overeem is scheduled to return to action on the Aug. 15 card, and Rogers should be ready to go if offered the opportunity after such a quick victory Saturday.

Gina vs. Cyborg set for August 15th