No, not the UFC, but with Strikeforce, as the former Ultimate Fighter contestant has signed with the promotion and will step in for the injured Mike Kyle to take on Gegard Mousasi on April 9 at the "Diaz vs. Daley" event in San Diego.
The move was announced during the live broadcast of Challengers 15 on Showtime.
Jardine makes his return to the big leagues after a pair of victories in the lesser known Nemesis Fighting and Fresquez Productions. Here's what he had to say about making his return:
"On thur night Strikforce called my manager about me filling in to fight Mousasi. I've always had trouble turning down a fight. So it looks like I'll be on Showtime next week. I'm excited to be back with Zuffa!""The Dean of Mean," a longtime favorite of UFC President Dana White, lost six of eight fights, including four in a row, before finally getting handed a promotion pink slip. The Greg Jackson product's skills have yet to diminish but his rapidly decaying chin has gotten him in trouble more than a few times in the last few years.
That didn't stop them from throwing him to the wolves in his first fight back under the Zuffa banner.
Gegard Mousasi comes rolling into sunny San Diego having lost just three of his 34 career fights. That's pretty damn good, folks.
His only defeat since 2006 was a sloppy decision loss to Muhammed Lawal in April of last year, one that cost him the Strikeforce light heavyweight strap. After a couple of wins in Japan, "Dreamcatcher" was to make his return to the states for a number one contender fight against Kyle.
No word yet on whether he will still be given a title shot against Dan Henderson if he is to defeat Jardine but considering the lack of challengers to "Hendo's" lonely throne, one would be safe in assuming as much.
And what if Jardine wins? Stay tuned.
Strikeforce: "Diaz vs. Daley" is all set to go down April 9 in San Diego, California and will feature British slugger Paul Daley aiming for the welterweight strap currently around the waist of Champion Nick Diaz.
Gilbert Melendez is also set to defend his lightweight title against Japanese "Crusher" Tatsuya Kawajiri.
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