A trilogy bout between middleweight rivals Jason “Mayhem” Miller and Tim Kennedy is currently in the works for Strikeforce: “Columbus” on March 5th. MMAjunkie.com was first to report on the targeted matchup between the former Strikeforce title challengers, who each hold one win over the other.

Miller and Kennedy first met at Extreme Challenge 50 in February of 2003, where Kennedy prevailed via three-round decision. Miller gained a measure of revenge in a late 2007 rematch under the HDNet Fights banner and a win for either fighter will put the victor back in the Strikeforce title hunt.

Miller (24-7-0, 1 NC), a former champion in multiple promotions, had looked to capture the Strikeforce Middleweight Championship in a November 2009 battle with recent UFC signee Jake Shields, but he ultimately came out on the wrong side of a Unanimous Decision. Miller nearly finished Shields with a rear-naked choke at the end of the third round, but Shields was saved by the bell and went on to win the fight. Since that time, Miller has won two straight fights and most recently submitted Japanese legend Kazushi Sakuraba in September. With Shields no longer in Strikeforce, Miller now has his sights set on getting another shot at the title, which is presently held by another Miller rival, Ronaldo “Jacaré” Souza.

Kennedy (12-3-0), a decorated military veteran who has recently begun training in MMA full-time, has only gone to a decision three times in 15 career bouts. Two of the three decisions came in past bouts with Miller, while the third came in Kennedy’s most recent fight; a five-round decision loss to current Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Souza. Kennedy put together eight straight wins after losing his pro debut via cut stoppage and rebounded from his 2007 loss to Miller by winning four more fights; three of which came in Strikeforce. Now looking to get another shot against Souza, whom Kennedy felt he had beaten in the pair’s first fight, Kennedy must first defeat Miller in the targeted March rubber match.

Strikeforce: “Columbus” is planned for March 5th at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. The event will likely be headlined by a Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship bout between Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante and Dan “Hendo” Henderson.

(Photo Credit: Sherdog.com)