Luke Rockhold vs Tim Kennedy Strikeforce middleweight title fight headlines July 14 card in Portland

It's official.

Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Luke Rockhold will defend his 185-pound title against division number one contender Tim Kennedy at the upcoming Showtime televised fight card slated for the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon on July 14, 2012.

The promotion announced the main event title fight on today's "Barnett vs. Cormier" conference call.

Rockhold (9-1) has been sidelined with a broken hand since smashing Keith Jardine to kick off his 2012 fight campaign back in January. The win over "The Dean of Mean" extended his winning streak to eight consecutive fights, each one coming under the Strikeforce banner.

Will Kennedy be number nine?

The "Pit" fighter failed in his first bid to usurp the middleweight throne from then-kingpin Ronaldo Souza; however, the power of wacky videos has since propelled him to back-to-back wins over Melvin Manhoef and Robbie Lawler, two names big enough (at least in Strikeforce) to get him another title shot.

Can Kennedy (14-3) make the most of it on July 14?

The Portland show will also feature two additional 185-pound match-ups as Keith Jardine tries to get back on his horse against Roger Gracie while Robbie Lawler locks horns with Lorenz Larkin.

Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more updates to this developing fight card as they become available.