Frank Shamrock targeting March 2010 Strikeforce return

Strikeforce pillar and former middleweight champion Frank Shamrock (23-10-2) could abandon his commentating duties for another round of in-cage action as early as March 2010, according to MMAFighting.com.

Shammy dropped back-to-back fights for the first time since 1997 when Nick Diaz sent him packing in their main event of Strikeforce: "Shamrock vs. Diaz" last April. Prior to that, the former UFC champion was outclassed on his feet by San Shou striker Cung Le, who usurped Shamrock's belt in their 2008 bout in San Jose.

Shamrock has been anxious to return to the cage after having a metal plate removed from his arm that was inserted to correct a break sustained in the Le fight.

More from "The Legend:"

"In the first week or so of March. Whoever brings ratings. I need ratings. I just need some ratings. They don't keep me in the loop, I'm a commentator now. Now, I know nothing. Now they give me a script; I'm a talking head ... I don't make any decisions. I like the fighting much better. The commentary is a lot of work, diligent and studious work. And I would rather sweat and grunt and have a good time."

As expected, Shamrock has continued to be vocal about his fellow promotion fighters including Le, Diaz, Jake Shields and Scott Smith. Le is expected to return to Hollywood in the coming year while the promotion eyes a possible bout between Shields and UFC import Dan Henderson.

Now that Diaz is booked for a welterweight bout against Marius Zaromski, coupled with the marketability of Smith (following his stoppage of Cung Le on Dec. 19) and a Shamrock vs. Smith fight starts to look good for March.

Time will tell.

Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more information on Shamrock's pending return as it becomes available.