A lightweight matchup between two talented prospects is the latest addition to "Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Kennedy," as Ryan Couture (4-1 MMA, 4-1 SF) meets Joe Duarte (10-2 MMA, 2-0 SF).
Strikeforce officials today announced the new matchup.
Featuring a pair of title fights, including middleweight champ Luke Rockhold vs. Tim Kennedy and Nate Marquardt vs. Tyron Woodley for the vacant welterweight belt, "Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Kennedy" takes place July 14 at Rose Garden in Portland, Ore.
THe evening's main card airs on Showtime. Couture vs. Duarte is expected to take place on the Showtime Extreme-broadcast preliminary card.
Couture, of course, is the son of UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture. The 29-year-old Ryan has fought his entire professional career under the Strikeforce banner, sandwiching a lone loss to Matt Ricehouse between a pair of two-fight win streaks. The Xtreme Couture product most recently fought in March, earning a TKO victory over Conor Heun.
Meanwhile, Duarte first earned national prominence during a stint on "The Ultimate Fighter 8," where he was eliminated in the opening round by eventual show finalist Phillipe Nover. Duarte has since gone 6-1 on the regional scene, with the lone loss coming in April 2010 in a Bellator bout with Carey Vanier.
Duarte currently trains in San Diego and boasts a five-fight win streak, including a pair of Strikeforce wins over Jorge Gurgel and Saad Awad.
