Riggs-Taylor Heads Up Aug. 13 Strikeforce Challengers

Hometown attraction Joe Riggs will face off against Louis Taylor in a 182-pound catch-weight bout at Strikeforce Challengers 10 on Aug. 13 at the Dodge Theater in Phoenix, Ariz., the promotion announced on Thursday.

The Showtime-televised event will also feature a four-women 135-pound single-elimination tournament over one night; the participants have yet to be announced. The winner will earn a title shot against the promotion’s 135-pound champion. Champion Sarah Kaufman will defend her crown against Roxanne Modafferi at Strikeforce Challengers 9 on July 23 in Kent, Wash.

One-time heavyweight Riggs, a heavy-handed striker who fought at both 170 and 185 pounds in the UFC, holds wins over Phil Baroni, Luke Stewart, and Eugene Jackson in the San Jose-based promotion and notable victories over Strikeforce welterweight champion Nick Diaz, Chris Lytle and Joe Doerksen outside of it. The 27-year-old fighter dropped a unanimous decision to Jay Hieron at Strikeforce “Miami” last January.

Chicago’s Taylor knocked Ryan Sturdy out with a head kick at Bellator Fighting Championships 14 last April. Taylor’s sole career defeat came against Nate Moore via a second-round TKO at Strikeforce/M-1 Global “Fedor vs. Rogers” last November in Hoffman Estates, Ill. Taylor has notched back-to-back wins, including the win against Sturdy, since November.

Strikeforce Challengers 10 will air live on Showtime.