Keith Jardine Announces Middleweight Debut For December Strikeforce Show

"The Dean of Mean" will see action one final time before the end of the year. Earlier last week, UFC veteran Keith Jardine (17-9-2) announced via Twitter that he expected to make his middleweight debut in December at an as-of-yet unannounced Strikeforce card.

"It looks like I'll be fighting again for Strikeforce in December," Jardine wrote. "Its a lil ways a way but it feels real good to have a date."

Jardine first rose to prominence with his run to the heavyweight semi-finals on the second season of "The Ultimate Fighter." Following the conclusion of the show the 35-year-old entered the UFC with great initial success, confounding opponents with a frustrating style on route to victories in five of his first seven matches, capped off by a split decision win over Chuck Liddell.

However the Greg Jackson product quickly fell back to earth, dropping five of his next six bouts -- including a career-worst four-fight losing streak -- that led to his release from the promotion.

After collecting a loss to Trevor Prangley in his first fight outside the UFC, Jardine finally returned to his winning ways, tearing through two straight victories against Francisco France and Aron Lofton inside regional organizations. "The Dean of Mean" was last seen at April's Strikeforce event, where he fought to a majority draw with former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Gergard Mousasi.