Rockhold vs Larkin; Marquardt vs Saffiedine Landing on January Strikeforce Card

Two title fights are likely landing on the promised “stacked” Strikeforce show in January, and it appears both the middleweight and welterweight titles will be defended.

An injury originally forced Strikeforce middleweight champion Luke Rockhold off the planned Nov 3 card, but following a slew of other fighters falling out as well the entire card was scrapped.

Now Rockhold and his original opponent Lorenz Larkin are headed for the January Strikeforce card instead.

In addition to the Rockhold vs. Larkin fight, Strikeforce welterweight champion Nate Marquardt will make the first defense of his title against Tarec Saffiedine.

Sources close to the contest confirmed the fight to MMAWeekly.com with verbal agreements in place. MMAFighting.com first reported the Marquardt match-up on Thursday.

Marquardt won the Strikeforce belt earlier this year with an emphatic knockout of former top contender Tyron Woodley. Now the former UFC fighter will look to make his first successful title defense against Team Quest fighter Tarec Saffiedine.

Two title fights at the top of the card sounds nice, but sources have also indicated that more title bouts may be on tap for the January card. Both lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez and women’s bantamweight champ Ronda Rousey have been rumored for the loaded January card as well.

Strikeforce heavyweight Grand Prix champion Daniel Cormier is also expected to be on the card. While it’s not likely Strikeforce would pull off four title fights plus a super fight in the heavyweight division on one card, anything is possible for this loaded show headed for Jan 12 on Showtime.