By Kelsey Mowatt

Recently, Strikeforce’s welterweight rankings have come into clearer focus, due to Nate Marquardt’s July 14th championship win over Tyron Woodley, and both UFC vet Jason High and the rising Jordan Mein scoring victories. In addition, there’s a notable bout between Roger Bowling and Tarec Saffiedine scheduled for August 18th.

Unfortunately for Bobby Voelker, however, the surging fighter has had to watch these developments from the sidelines, due to a partially torn ACL and MCL he incurred while preparing for a bout in May.

Prior to the injury, Voelker (24-8) had worked his way into contender status by winning three straight fights to improve his Strikeforce record to 4-1. The welterweight is coming off back-to-back stoppage wins over the aforementioned Bowling.

The injury forced Voelker to go over one year without competing, as his most recent win over Bowling took place last July, which was the vet’s only bout in 2011.

Despite the setback, Voelker has informed Full Contact Fighter that his knee is “healing good” and that he’s “hoping I can fight in November or December.”

Strikeforce’s next event goes August 18th in San Diego, and the promotion also has a card confirmed for September 29th in Sacramento.

The organization is also expected to host an event in October, however, no date has been set.