Strikeforce Adds "Jacare" Ronaldo Souza to Middleweight Roster

Strikeforce has inked a multi-fight deal with Brazilian middleweight “Jacare” Ronaldo Souza (8-2).

“I am very excited that I will have the opportunity to fight in Strikeforce amongst many of the world’s best middleweight fighters,” said the 29-year-old Souza. “Strikeforce has an extremely deep roster of top middleweight fighters. I am looking forward to the challenge and to taking my career to the next level.”

After a brilliant run in the DREAM Middleweight Grand Prix in Tokyo last year, Souza was knocked out by Strikeforce 205er, then middleweight and eventual tourney champ Gegard Mousasi (21-2-1) in the finals. Souza had left “Mayhem” Jason Miller (22-7) and Zelg Galesic (7-3) in his wake to the final showdown versus Mousasi.

Though Mousasi is now also signed by Strikeforce, doubtful there’ll be a rematch unless Souza decides to bulk up since Mousasi has indicated he won’t be slimming down to 185 pounds again.

In 2006, Souza tangled to a draw with Fighters.com’s eighth-ranked heavyweight “The Natural” Randy Couture (16-9) in the Professional Submission League.

Strikeforce’s middleweight division includes Jake Shields (23-4-1), Cung Le (6-0), “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler (16-5), sometimes Nick Diaz (20-8), and Frank Shamrock (23-10-2). Souza will debut in the autumn.