Nate Marquardt vs. Tyron Woodley slated for Strikeforce in July

A new fight has been announced for the “Strikeforce: Rockhold Vs. Kennedy” event in July. Nate Marquardt (31-10-2) will take on Tyron Woodley (10-0) for the Strikeforce welterweight title.

The fight was announced by Strikeforce announcers at Saturday’s Heavyweight GP Final.

“Strikeforce: Rockhold Vs. Kennedy” will take place on July 14th, 2012, at the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon. Middleweight champ Luke Rockhold will face Tim Kennedy in the nights headliner, the main card will air on Showtime with the prelims airing on Showtime Extreme.

Nate Marquardt was released from the UFC in 2011 for failing pre-fight medical requirements prior to his scheduled bout against Rick Story at UFC on Versus 4. It was later released that Nate was receiving testosterone replacement therapy for medical reasons and his testosterone levels were too high at the time of the fight, causing him to be pulled from the fight and suspended by the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission. Marquardt re-took the testosterone test on the day of the fight and he was actually found within the qualifying limits, after presenting this information to the PSAC his suspension was lifted.

Marquardt last competed at UFC 128 against Dan Miller where he won the fight via unanimous decision, bouncing back from a loss to Yushin Okami at UFC 122. Since leaving the UFC Nate signed with UK promotion BAMMA and was later released from the contract having never competed for them. He signed with Strikeforce in February of this year and will now return against Woodley.

Tyron Woodley will enter this fight coming off a victory over Jordan Mein earlier this year at “Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine”, he won the bout via decision making himself first in line for a shot at the vacant welterweight title. Prior to the fight against Mein, undefeated Tyron Woodley notched up victories against notable fighters such as Rudy Bears, André Galvão and Paul Daley.