Bob Sapp vs. Jan \"The Giant\" Nortje at Strikeforce

Bob Sapp will fight Jan "The Giant" Nortje at Strikeforce in Tacoma, Wash.

Matchmakers for Strikeforce have announced the opponent who will face Bob "The Beast" Sapp (9-2-1) at their Feb. 23 event in Tacoma, Wash., as South African fighter Jan "The Giant" Nortje (1-5) has signed to fight "The Beast".

A former training partner of Sapp's, Nortje weighs 30 pounds less than Sapp's 360-pound frame, but is 5 inches taller at 6 feet 11 inches. Although "The Giant" has not done nearly as well as Sapp in professional mixed martial arts, he still presents a challenge with a background in boxing and kickboxing; areas where Sapp has shown weakness in the past.

"I’m extremely excited," Nortje says. "I’ve always seen Bob get big opportunities so I think it’s my turn to show what I can do against him."

Also on the card, former UFC Heavyweight Champion Maurice “Big Mo” Smith (73-20-4) will fight six-time world kickboxing champion, Rick “The Jet” Roufus (57-7), in a featured heavyweight contest.

Strikeforce At The Dome is being presented by Bodog Fight. Tickets for the event are on sale at all Ticketmaster locations, the Tacoma Dome box office and the official Strikeforce website.