K.J. NOONS SIGNS WITH STRIKEFORCE

[keithlewis]

K.J. NOONS SIGNS WITH STRIKEFORCE

Former lightweight champion K.J. Noons (6-1) has signed a multi-fight agreement with world championship mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion STRIKEFORCE and will make his long-awaited return to the cage at a date to be determined soon.

Noons' STRIKEFORCE debut will be his first MMA start since June 14, 2008 when he reeled off his third consecutive win in the cage by demolishing Yves Edwards with a series of punches and elbows just 48 seconds into their meeting at Honolulu, Hawaii's Neil S. Blaisdell Arena.

Following the victory over Edwards, Noons began a hiatus from MMA in order to pursue his professional boxing career. He has since been victorious in four of five appearances in the squared circle, bringing his overall boxing record to 12-2 (6 KO's).

"I'm super excited to be a part of STRIKEFORCE and I'm looking forward to putting on great fights," said Noons, who will celebrate his 27th birthday on Monday, December 7. "I've always wanted to come back, but I wanted to box for a little while in order to polish my boxing skills. Now, I'm ready to jump back into the picture in MMA."

To date, Noons most memorable stand in MMA was his meeting with dangerous striker and Gracie Jiu-Jitsu black belt, Nick Diaz. In the first round of action, Noons opened a cut below Diaz's right eyebrow with a hard knee strike to the head after Diaz shot in for a takedown and, soon after, dropped Diaz with a straight counter right hand.

After round one came to an end, the ringside doctor ordered a stoppage to the fight due to two cuts Diaz had sustained on his forehead. Noons was declared the winner of the fight by TKO.

Noons, who fights out of San Diego, California, also boasts a 13-1 (10 KO's) record in kickboxing competition.

"I feel a lot more confident with my game - my striking and everything else," said Noons. "I feel like I'm a more complete fighter now and I'm ready to fight whoever STRIKEFORCE puts in front of me."