Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker seems intent on keeping his promise of making a blockbuster card in January after two cards were cancelled in late 2012.

MMA Fighting reported on Thursday that welterweight champion Nate Marquardt will defend his belt against Tarec Saffiedine at the Jan. 12 event.

After former champion Nick Diaz moved onto the UFC in June 2011, Strikeforce’s 170-pound title remained vacant for over a year until Marquardt fought Tyron Woodley for the championship in July.

The bout was a back and forth affair for four rounds until “The Great” unleashed a vicious combination of elbows and punches against the cage, knocking out the former All-American collegiate wrestler.

Ever since dropping a decision to Saffiedine in Jan. 2011, Saffiedine has rattled off three straight victories. While none of those wins were finishes, the lack of depth on the Strikeforce roster makes him an easy choice as the next number one contender.

Strikeforce hasn’t held an event since August, as subsequent headliners, lightweight title holder Gilbert Melendez and middleweight champ Luke Rockhold, suffered injuries shortly before the planned September and November cards respectively.

Rockhold is the other planned title defense for the event, taking on undefeated striker Lorenz Larkin.

Will a successful card in January be enough to pump some life back into the Strikeforce brand or is the promotion destined to fail regardless what happens next year?