Strikeforce: Nick Diaz, Sarah Kaufman Return Oct. 9 In San Jose

When Sarah Kaufman asked to graduate from Challengers Series events, she was called a diva. Well, the squeaky wheel often gets the grease, and this is no exception.

She'll get her wish taking on the Belgian Jiu-Jitsu wonder, and former Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos opponent, Marloes Coenen, on Oct. 9.

Kaufman (12-0), who's coming off the highlight reel power-bomb stoppage of MMA's happy warrior Roxanne Modefferi at Strikeforce Challenger Series 9, will need to be careful not to look past her foe. Coenen (17-4) is dropping to 135 pounds for the first time in her career after making a name for herself with a long run in defunct female-only promotions ReMix, and Smackgirl.

The 209 will be properly represented when Nick Diaz returns to Strikeforce to take on an opponent not yet known.

Diaz (22-7), who was a part of the infamous Nashville brawl, returns to the promotion after slickly pulling out an armbar against scuttling Japanese MMA star Hayato "Mach" Sakurai in May.

In other action, Luke Rockhold (7-1) will also graduate from the Challengers Series after he defeated solid prospect Paul Bradley back in February.

He'll take on established veteran Matt Lindland (22-7) in match-up that could provide the winner with a slot in Strikeforce's on-again, off-again, on-again Middleweight tournament.

The event already looks good and should shape into being a grand old time at the Shank Tark.

And no Gus Johnson; I'm never letting that go.