Rockhold

By FCF Staff

As the year winds down with no official word as to what the future holds for Strikeforce in 2012, reports to continue to surface regarding a January 7^th event for the promotion in Las Vegas. Recently, the Nevada State Athletic Commission confirmed that Strikeforce has booked the city’s Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, and now, MMA Fighting is reporting that a middleweight bout between champion Luke Rockhold and Keith Jardine will headline the event.

If accurate, the bout will mark the first time Rockhold (8-1) has competed since September, when he worked his way to a unanimous decision win over Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza to become champion.

Jardine (17-9-2) would be receiving a title shot after just one Strikeforce appearance in April, when he battled Gegard Mousasi to a majority draw. The UFC veteran and former light-heavyweight would also be making his debut at middleweight.

In addition to reports about the main event, in a recent interview with Tatame, “King Mo” Lawal informed the Brazilian outlet that will also be competing on the January 7^th Strikeforce card. The former light-heavyweight champion said no opponent has been confirmed, but he did state that he would like to rematch Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante.

Cavalcante stopped Lawal last August to end the accomplished wrestler’s reign as champion. After returning from a knee injury this past September, Lawal (8-1) stopped Roger Gracie in the first round.

Strikeforce has not made any official announcement regarding the January 7^th event or the bouts reported above.