After sitting out for a year Strikeforce middleweight champion Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza will be paired up against challenger Luke Rockhold at a Strikeforce event planned for this fall, MMAJunkie.com reports.
The Brazilian will look to make his second title defense for the promotion, as he previously defeated Robbie Lawler last year.
This announcement comes after Strikeforce officials had decided to not schedule the title bout on the Fedor versus Henderson event in July. Rockhold confirmed the bout via Twitter.
Souza enters his second title defense, currently on a four-fight win streak earning victories over Matt Linland, Joey Villasenor, Tim Kennedy and Robbie Lawler. “Jacare” will be making his fifth appearance for Strikeforce.
Rockhold is coming into this bout riding a six-fight win streak, including victories over Jesse Taylor and Paul Bradley. While the American Kickboxing Academy prospect has won all of his bouts via stoppage, he has yet to compete under the Strikeforce banner since February 2010, as he has been out of action due to injury.
The unannounced event is expected to take place on Sept. 10, but MMAJunkie also reports that no venue or location have been determined at this time.
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