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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
Strikeforce may have one title fight on their first foray into pay-per-view this July, as MMAWeekly.com reports that Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza is expected to make his second title defense on the card.
That comes according to Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker, who says that while no opponent is yet scheduled, they're targeting the July card for Souza's return.
Souza captured the vacant title in August of last year, defeating Tim Kennedy by decision after Jake Shields jumped ship to the UFC. He then met Robbie Lawler in January, submitting him by rear naked choke in the third round of their bout.
With no opponent yet set, Strikeforce does have a couple of names on the roster that are likely at the top of the list, both of whom would be rematches for Souza in Kennedy and Jason "Mayhem" Miller. The Kennedy fight would be the more likely candidate, as the 31-year-old rebounded from his loss to Souza with a win over Melvin Manhoef in March, while Souza has shown no interest in a rematch with Miller, a man he's faced twice already.
Penick's Analysis: Middleweight is another division that would benefit from some crossover fights at the top now that Strikeforce is under Zuffa management. Souza just beat Kennedy last August, but Kennedy is the best candidate to be given that shot right now on Strikeforce's roster. Souza said earlier this year he wasn't the least bit interested in fighting Miller again, but the UFC sending someone over from the mid to top tier of their division would be excellent, and would give Souza a fresh matchup. It's looking more and more likely that it's not going to happen yet, but it would solve this problem.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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