Brazilian jiu-jitsu standout Roger Gracie will be making his middleweight debut in Strikeforce against MMA veteran Keith Jardine.
MMAFighting first reported the match up, which is likely to take place at a currently unscheduled Strikeforce event in July; rumors place the bout in Portland, Oregon on the fourteenth.
Rockhold is expected to defend his title against Tim Kennedy at the event. Nate Marquardt and Tyron Woodley are also likely to dispute the vacant Strikeforce welterweight title on the card.
Nate Marquardt is likely to face Tyron Woodley at a July Strikeforce event for the vacant welterweight title. The bout will be Marquardt’s first fight since his sudden release from the UFC prior to the UFC on Versus 4. MMAWeekly first reported the bout.
Marquardt was released from the UFC after the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission denied him from participating on the UFC on Versus 4 card due to elevated testosterone levels. While PSAC cleared Marquardt a few days later, UFC President Dana White fired Marquardt during a twitter video before the event took place.
Marquardt had been signed to the British promotion BAMMA, but was released after the promotion was unable to secure an opponent.
Marquardt’s opponent, Tyron Woodley, has not lost in his ten professional fights, eight of which have been with Strikeforce. The former MIZZOU wrestling standout has notched notable wins over Andre Galvao, Tarec Saffiedine, and Paul Daley. Woodley most recently fought in January, where he won against Jordan Mein.