“I think he’s a lot better than Takanori Gomi and the other Japanese fighters, He’s a lot better than Shinya Aoki. He beat him twice, so you’re not going to count this guy out now, are you?” said Diaz.

Sakurai is one of the standout fighters of his generation and he began a hefty double-digit career in Shooto in 1996. The 34-year-old Sakurai is a veteran of Deep and Pride Fighting Championships. In March 2002, he was in the Octagon at UFC 36. He lost to the champion then, Matt Hughes, in a fourth-round stoppage.

Sakurai had three consecutive victories against Dream lightweight champion Shinya Aoki, top-ranked Joachim Hansen and the former UFC champion Jens Pulver. His career also includes his famous and lengthy 14-fight win streak.

To Dream welterweight champion Marius Zaromskis and showman Akihiro Gono, Sakurai dropped his last two outings that made few believe that Sakurai’s best days might be behind him.

In Dream’s “White Cage,” a modified structure built from a material primarily used for Japanese tuna fishing, the bout will be held, rather than inside the traditional steel or aluminum. Diaz is very excited for the match up.

“At the same time, though, I want to fight the best Sakurai. I don’t want to fight ‘old, washed-up Sakurai,’ as some might refer to him, he’s a Japanese superstar and I want to fight him at his best”, said Diaz.

This event features several very good bouts, and two big debuts for Strikeforce. Former NFL running back Herschel Walker will be making his mma debut at the age of 47. Also making his Strikeforce debut is undefeated heavyweight, and TNA wrestling star Bobby Lashley. There are also two title fights slated for the card.

First, women’s fighting phenom Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos will be making her first title defense. Santos, known for her amazing strength and ferocius striking will be facing Marloes Coenen. This will be Cyborg’s first time back in the cage since her destruction of Gina Carano to become the first Strikeforce Women’s Champion. The line for this fight is Santos -550/Coenen +375.

The second title bout is for the open Strikeforce welterweight championship and features brazillian jiu-jitsu ace Nick Diaz who is a UFC veteran and former Strikeforce champion. His oppenent will be Cage Rage veteran and current Dream welterweight champion Marius “The Whitemare” Zaromskis. This matchup will be a matchup of a submission master, Diaz, against Zaromskis who is one of the most explosive strikers in the world. Both have looked very strong in recent bouts and should not disappoint in this one. The line for this fight is (-220 Diaz /+180 Zaromskis ).