A long-anticipated fight for the vacant Strikeforce welterweight title is nearing confirmation.

Sources close to the event today told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that Nate Marquardt (31-10-2 MMA, 0-0 SF) and Tyron Woodley (10-0 MMA, 8-0 SF) could meet at a yet-unannounced Strikeforce event targeted for July 14.

Multiple outlets reported the matchup and date for the event, which could take place in Portland, Ore., or Indianapolis.

Strikeforce has held a previous event, "Strikeforce Challengers 8: Lindland vs. Casey," at the Rose Garden in Portland.

Wherever it takes place, the booking is music to the ears of both fighters, who have seen extended time on the shelf. As recently as March, Woodley pined for confirmation of the bout, preferably at "Strikeforce: Heavyweight Grand Prix Finale" on May 19 in San Jose, Calif.

Regardless, he said he was moving forward with training for the bout. In the end, it was not scheduled for the May event.

Marquardt, who signed with Strikeforce in February, could also use the activity. He was released in January from a contract with British MMA promotion BAMMA. Although scheduled to make his promotional debut at BAMMA 9 against UFC vet Yoshiyuki Yoshida, the fight never came to fruition. He hasn't fought since UFC 128, when he outpointed Dan Miller.

Marquardt was released from the UFC after failing to gain medical clearance to fight Rick Story at UFC on Versus 4. The Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission, which oversaw the event this past June, wouldn't clear him when pre-fight blood tests revealed his testosterone levels to be outside the commission's allowable limits. He later revealed the failed test was the result of doctor-recommended testosterone replacement therapy.



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