It looks like Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker intends to continue blazing a trail through 2010 with more electrifying events.

Hot on the heels of the successful "Strikeforce: Miami" show, Coker sat down with MMAFighting and revealed the next round of challengers he's trying to align against his newly crowned champions at lightweight, welterweight, and womens lightweight (145 pounds).  Once again, I'm on board with the direction he's headed.

For Gilbert Melendez' first official title defense, Coker would like to institute a little friendly rivalry by providing the fans with another DREAM versus Strikeforce championship unification bout by bringing over the best lightweight in the world not named B.J. Penn:  Japan's rubber man, Shinya Aoki. 

Fresh off his controversial limb-wrenching destruction of Sengoku lightweight champ Mizuto Hirota at the year's end "Dynamite!! 2009" show, Aoki is also speculated to square off with standout DREAM contender Tatsuya Kawajiri; but the Kawajiri fight is being scheduled for May or June, which means there's a good chance that Aoki will make an appearance in the Strikeforce cage right away.

Another Japanese legend is in Coker's crosshairs to face the irascible Nick Diaz, as Hayato "Mach" Sakurai would be the chosen challenger at welterweight.  Sakurai is unquestionably one of the all-time greats of mixed martial arts, but his mileage has become a factor as of late.  His record stands at 35-10-2, and six fights ago, he had only been submitted once in his entire career.  David Baron locked him in a guillotine in Sakurai's old stomping grounds of Shooto, and Akihiro Gono caught a crafty armbar on the veteran on the "Dynamite!! 2009" card.  He's 3-3 in his last six, with Diaz' most recent victim, Marius Zaromskis, serving as Sakurai's other blemish.

It should be noted there is a recent crushing TKO victory over Shinya Aoki in Sakurai's rear-view mirror, so "Mach" is definitely still dangerous despite his high wear.  He will have many disadvantages against Diaz, as Sakurai will give up a half-foot in height and close to the same in reach--which is a death sentence against the tremendous reach of the Stockton slugger's long punches.

Finally, a well-known female fighter is being called upon by Coker who may present the best possible threat to Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos' title.  Erin Toughill has been in the game for over 10 years, and is indeed a formidable opponent.  She's 10-2-1, and one of those losses was a disqualification.  Marloes Coenen is one of the victims on Toughill's list, whom she defeated by KO in the SmackGirl promotion in 2004.

Cyborg is, of course, on fire right now.  She's also changing the face of MMA by leading the charge for female fighting, and she's a pleasure to watch.  If she handles Toughill like she did Carano and Coenen, there may be no hope left for an appealing match-up.

Cheers to Scott Coker for keeping things interesting.