Smith Draws Saffiedine for Sophomore Welterweight Outing

Sherdog.com confirmed with a source close to the contest that bout agreements have been distributed. MMAWeekly.com first reported the proposed matchup on Tuesday.

Emanating from Sears Centre in the Chicago suburb of Hoffman Estates, Ill., “Fedor vs. Henderson” will be headlined by the titular heavyweight clash between former Pride king Fedor Emelianenko and reigning Strikeforce 205-pound champ Dan Henderson.

Also expected for the event is a women’s 135-pound title tilt pitting belt-holder Marloes Coenen against Miesha Tate. Additionally, Muhammed Lawal will make his return to the cage, as the squares off with Roger Gracie at light heavyweight. Rounding out the announced bouts is a potentially explosive welterweight scrap, as Evangelista Santos locks horns with Paul Daley.

Long considered one of the middleweight division’s hardest punchers, Smith (Pictured) made the cut to welterweight for his most recent bout with Daley in December. After both men engaged in a feeling-out process on the feet, it was Daley who struck first, countering a charging Smith with a left hook that relieved the American of his consciousness. The defeat marked Smith’s third defeat in his last four fights. Known as “Hands of Steel,” the onetime World Extreme Cagefighting light heavyweight champion owns 14 of his 17 career wins by knockout.

Saffiedine recently had a three-fight winning streak halted by fellow prospect Tyron Woodley. After racking up wins over James Terry, Nate Moore and Brock Larson in 2010, the “Sponge” dropped a unanimous decision to Woodley in the main event of January’s Strikeforce Challengers 13. Representing Team Quest by way of Belgium, the 24-year-old has submitted half of his career victims and has yet to be finished in his four years as a pro.