Josh Thornburg

Strikeforce on Monday announced that Conor Heun has been forced out of his April 1 bout against James Terry. Heun tore ligaments in a knee during training and could not be ready for the fight.

Josh Thornburg (6-2), a member of the Cesar Gracie Fight Team who’s coached and cornered by Strikeforce welterweight champion Nick Diaz, will replace Heun. The fight will remain on the televised portion of Strikeforce Challengers 15 on Showtime.

Thornburg had won two in a row and six of seven until losing his last start to local favorite and more-experienced Roger Bowling in a non-televised fight of Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Hendo on March 5 in Columbus, Ohio. Thornburg made it a tough fight, but dropped a unanimous decision to Bowling.

“There’s no such thing as a moral victory and I was very disappointed I couldn’t get it done (against Bowling),’’ Thornburg said. “Going in, I was super confident. But I appreciate that I’m getting a chance to come right back and fight in my hometown on Showtime.’’