The migration of former Strikeforce heavyweights to the UFC continues as Chad Griggs has signed a new deal to move over to the UFC in 2012.
Sources close to the fighter confirmed to MMAWeekly.com on Tuesday that Griggs will move to the UFC and begin fighting there in the new year.
Chad Griggs originally came to Strikeforce as an opponent for highly touted prospect Bobby Lashley. Most expected that he was brought in as a sacrificial lamb for Lashley, who was a fast rising star after his time spent in the pro wrestling world and then transitioned into the fight game.
Griggs was anything but a sacrifice however.
He tired out and then pummeled Lashley to win by TKO when his opponent couldn’t continue after the second round.
Griggs returned a few months later and put away another prospect in Gian Villante before defeating Valentijn Overeem in brutal fashion during the alternate rounds of the Strikeofrce Heavyweight Grand Prix.
Now the Arizona firefighter will make his move to the UFC where he’ll try to keep his winning streak alive against a new crop of heavyweight opponents.
There has been no date for his debut, but Griggs is expected to end up on one of the UFC cards during the first part of 2012.
Sources close to the fighter confirmed to MMAWeekly.com on Tuesday that Griggs will move to the UFC and begin fighting there in the new year.
Chad Griggs originally came to Strikeforce as an opponent for highly touted prospect Bobby Lashley. Most expected that he was brought in as a sacrificial lamb for Lashley, who was a fast rising star after his time spent in the pro wrestling world and then transitioned into the fight game.
Griggs was anything but a sacrifice however.
He tired out and then pummeled Lashley to win by TKO when his opponent couldn’t continue after the second round.
Griggs returned a few months later and put away another prospect in Gian Villante before defeating Valentijn Overeem in brutal fashion during the alternate rounds of the Strikeofrce Heavyweight Grand Prix.
Now the Arizona firefighter will make his move to the UFC where he’ll try to keep his winning streak alive against a new crop of heavyweight opponents.
There has been no date for his debut, but Griggs is expected to end up on one of the UFC cards during the first part of 2012.