Strikeforce middleweight champion Luke Rockhold is expected defend his title for the first time against UFC veteran Keith Jardine at a January 7 Strikeforce event in Las Vegas, according to MMAFighting.

Rockhold (8-1), who had expected to fight Tim Kennedy next, won the 185-pound belt with a unanimous decision over Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza in September for his 7th-straight win, while Jardine (17-9-2) fought former champion Gegard Mousasi to a draw in April after snapping a five-fight losing streak with back-to-back wins.

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Pictured: Keith Jardine