Coker Says Aoki, Sakurai, Toughill Will Get Title Shots

[Phillmattic]

http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/01/31/coker-says-aoki-sakurai-toughill-will-get-title-shots/

SUNRISE, Fla. -- An exhausted Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker asked to sit down before granting an interview in the wee hours of Sunday morning following what he termed a successful Strikeforce Miami show, but he wasn't looking to take much of a break.

Coker is already preparing to promote several big fights in the spring, including fights pitting champions Gilbert Melendez, Nick Diaz and Cris Cyborg against new challengers.

A few of the fights Coker said he's working on booking:

Shinya Aoki vs. Gilbert Melendez: "Aoki and Melendez is going to happen before summertime," Coker said confidently. Talking to Coker, you get the sense that he's personally more excited about bringing Aoki to the United States than he is about any other fighter he can sign. Melendez is the Strikeforce lightweight champion and Aoki is the Dream lightweight champion, and a bout between the two of them would be one of the best lightweight bouts of the year.

Aoki vs Melendez is a fight I would love to see. Although I read that Aoki wouldn't be able to wear his grappling pants here in the States, so I wonder how much that would work against him.

Diaz vs Sakurai: Meh

[darlon]

Re: Coker Says Aoki, Sakurai, Toughill Will Get Title Shots

How is Diaz/Sakurai a meh? Another striking match except this time, Diaz's opponent will know how to defend and not be one dimensional.

[Phillmattic]

Re: Coker Says Aoki, Sakurai, Toughill Will Get Title Shots

Sakurai does not match up well with Diaz. Diaz is just an all around better fighter.