Report: Roger Gracie to Make Middleweight Debut Against Keith Jardine at July Strikeforce Event

MMAFighting.com first reported the matchup on Sunday, and multiple outlets have since confirmed the booking. While the card will likely air on Showtime, a date and venue for the event have not yet been officially announced.

A former Abu Dhabi Combat Club Submission Wrestling World Championships gold medalist, Gracie has competed at both heavyweight and light heavyweight in his five-fight MMA career. His Strikeforce debut came in 2010, where he submitted former UFC heavyweight champion Kevin Randleman via rear-naked choke. He then finished Trevor Prangley at 205 pounds in January 2011 before falling to Muhammed Lawal via knockout this past September.

Jardine made his first middleweight appearance in January, losing to reigning 185-pound king Luke Rockhold in the first round at Strikeforce Strikeforce “Rockhold vs. Jardine”. After competing as a heavyweight on Season 2 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” the longtime Jackson’s MMA representative fought 13 times as a light heavyweight in the UFC, earning notable victories over Forrest Griffin, Chuck Liddell and Brandon Vera during that period. The 36-year-old Montana native has never been submitted in 29 professional fights.