Dan Henderson vs. Jake Shields Expected for Strikeforce’s Next CBS Card in April

(On the next episode of Hoarders…)

According to a new report on FiveKnuckles.com, recent Strikeforce signee Dan Henderson is in "end stage" negotiations to face Strikeforce middleweight champ Jake Shields at the organization’s next CBS event in April. Bout agreements have yet to be signed, but the fight is reportedly in the process of being finalized.

Since his submission loss to Anderson Silva at UFC 82 last March, Henderson has gone 3-0, scoring victories over Rousimar Palhares, Rich Franklin, and Michael Bisping. Shields most recently picked up his 13th straight victory with a workmanlike decision over Jason Miller, but finished his eight previous fights, which included submission wins over Nick Thompson, Paul Daley, and Robbie Lawler. Compared to Shields, Henderson is larger, has fought more elite-level opponents, and has an obvious power advatange with his punches, but it’s hard to count Jake out when you look at the dominant run he’s had over the last four years. At any rate, it’s a great matchup, and it only makes sense for Strikeforce to put their new star into a title fight right away.

The only other fight on the April card at this point is Fedor Emelianenko vs. TBA. Sure, you’d think that would be a perfect time for Emelianenko to take on Alistair Overeem for Strikeforce’s heavyweight title, right? Wrong. Alistair Overeem has one more fight on on his K-1 contract, which he plans to take in the spring, meaning that he won’t be available to Strikeforce until later in the year. Though his manager, Bas Boon, promises that the Demolition Man will return to Strikeforce sometime in 2010, it’s very likely that he’ll be stripped of his title before that happens.

Source: Cage Potato - MMA News, Knockout Videos, and the Hottest Ring Girls