Joe Riggs vs. Nick Diaz II possible, but not set, for Aug. 15 Strikeforce event

**[sAc]-MrFantastic** July 1st 2009, 1:10 pm

Joe Riggs vs. Nick Diaz II possible, but not set, for Aug. 15 Strikeforce event
by Dann Stupp on Jul 01, 2009 at 1:15 pm ET
One of the most infamous fights in MMA history, complete with a legendary post-fight emergency room brawl reportedly broken up by police officers, may spawn an upcoming rematch.

Joe Riggs (31-11) first defeated Nick Diaz (20-7) via unanimous decision in 2006 at UFC 57, and since then, both fighters have given slightly different versions of a scrap that took place at an emergency room after the bout.

Now, with both fighters under contract to Strikeforce, officials are considering adding Riggs vs. Diaz II to the Showtime-televised main card for their Aug. 15 show in San Jose, Calif.

That event, which takes place at the HP Pavilion, features at least two title fights with Gina Carano vs. Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos (for Strikeforce's first-ever 145-pound women's championship) and UFC lightweight champ Josh Thomson vs. interim title-holder Gilbert Melendez.

Strikeforce executive Mike Afromowitz today told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) reports that the bout is set are premature, but he said the organization hasn't closed the door on the possibility of the welterweight fight.

Riggs would enter the fight with two straight wins and three victories in his past four fights. He most recently defeated Phil Baroni via unanimous decision at a June 6 event in St. Louis.

Diaz, meanwhile, has posted five consecutive victories, and he's 9-1 with no one no-contest (he submitted notable Takanori Gomi, but the result was later ruled to a no-contest after Diaz tested positive for marijuana) in his past 11 fights. He most recently defeated Scott Smith via submission at the June 6 event.

In addition to the above fights, the Aug. 15 Strikeforce fight was expected to feature heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem's first title defense, possibly against undefeated Brett Rogers. Afromowitz said there are no updates on the potential bout, but sources close to the fight tell MMAjunkie.com the fight is looking "unlikely."