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Rhadi Ferguson vs. Ion Cherdivara added to Strikeforce Challengers 13
by MMAjunkie.com Staff on Dec 20, 2010 at 11:20 am ET
Four-time judo national champion and 2004 U.S. Olympian Rhadi Ferguson (2-0 MMA, 0-0 SF) meets fellow undefeated light heavyweight Ion Cherdivara (1-0 MMA, 0-0 SF) next month at Strikeforce Challengers 13.
Officials today announced the fight.
Strikeforce Challengers 13 takes place Jan. 7 at Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Tennessee. The main card, including Ferguson vs. Cherdivara, airs on Showtime.
Both Ferguson and Cherdivara make their promotional debuts.
Dr. Ferguson, who owns a Ph.D. in education (as well as an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering), is a longtime martial artist who began judo as a 7 year old. In addition to that black belt, he also owns one in Brazilian jiu jitsu. The cousin of former EliteXC/UFC fighter Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson, Rhadi Ferguson made his pro MMA debut in August and his since posted a seven-second TKO win over Darryell Perry and an 81-second TKO victory over Jeremy Boczulak. Both opponents were making their pro debuts.
"I don't think MMA is ever a natural transition," Ferguson said. "I did judo. I did BJJ. I'm a strength-and-conditioning coach and a judo coach for some top MMA fighters. After training these guys for a while, the sport caught me a little bit. I'm 35, but I feel like I still have some stuff in the tank. I'm satisfied with my athletic career, but I wouldn't mind putting the Strikeforce light-heavyweight title on my mantel."
Cherdivara, a member of Brazilian Top Team Canada in Montreal, also was a former member of the Moldovan national wrestling team. He made his pro MMA debut in March and scored a first-round TKO win over Aaron Dupuis, but he's struggled to find willing opponents on the regional circuit.
The latest Strikeforce Challengers 13 card includes:
MAIN CARD
Tarec Saffiedine vs. Tyron Woodley
Devin Cole vs. Daniel Cormier
Ron "Abongo" Humphrey vs. Ovince St. Preux
Julia Budd vs. Amanda Nunes
Ion Cherdivara vs. Rhadi Ferguson
PRELIMINARY CARD
Nate Coy vs. Nate Moore
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