FanHouse AndreiArlovski

As a relatively new promoter in the mixed martial arts world, Strikeforce has two objectives during events. First of all, it hopes for excitement. Second, it hopes to create new stars.

Both goals were reached during Saturday night's card on Strikeforce.

Jake Shields, Brett Rogers and Nick Diaz emerged as forces to be reckoned with after wins during Strikeforce's St. Louis event.

Andrei Arlovski fell into the June 6 Strikeforce card only after champion Alistair Overeem was forced to pull out of a proposed title fight with Brett Rogers due to a hand infection, and apparently, Arlovski's stay with the San Jose, Calif.,-based organization could extend past one fight.

According to Strikeforce director of communications Mike Afromowitz, the winner of the Arlovski-Rogers bout could be next in line for a crack at Overeem's belt.

Afromowitz, however, did caution any excitement, noting that a winner vs. Overeem fight was no certainty because of the many factors in play, including Overeem's recovery time, Arlovski's contract situation and the ever-present possibility of fight-sustained injuries hurting the timeline.

Affliction's third event, featuring a main event of Fedor Emelianenko vs. Josh Barnett and taking place at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., on Aug. 1, should be officially announced within days, a source with knowledge of the situation told FanHouse.

Though neither Emelianenko or Barnett has signed official bout agreements, they have both verbally accepted the matchup, according to the source.

Earlier this week, Affliction President Tom Atencio told FanHouse he would not be able to confirm any details until contracts were officially signed.