Shinya Aoki will make his return to Strikeforce on April 9 when he faces Lyle Beerbohm in a lightweight match-up on the San Diego card.
Strikeforce officials confirmed the match-up to MMAWeekly.com on Monday. The news of the bout was initially reported by MMA-Japan.com.
Aoki last fought in Strikeforce in April when he lost a lopsided decision to lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez. Since that time, Aoki has gone 3-0 in MMA competition, including a win over Tatsuya Kawajiri.
The Dream lightweight champion did compete during the promotion’s year-end New Year’s Eve show, Dynamite!!, and was knocked out by Yuichiro Nagashima in a mixed rules match.
Beerbohm enters the fight after suffering the first loss of his professional MMA career, dropping a unanimous decision to Pat Healy during a Strikeforce Challengers card.
The Washington native is 15-1 overall. Facing Aoki could be a fast track back to the top of the division if he can pull out a victory.
More bouts for the April 9 card are expected to be announced by Strikeforce in the coming weeks.
Damon Martin is the lead staff writer and radio host for MMAWeekly.com.
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