Although initially rumored to appear at UFC 96 in Columbus, Ohio, it now seems likely that light-heavyweight Keith Jardine will face Brazilian slugger Luis Arthur Cane at UFC 97.

MMABay first reported the possibility, and MMAjunkie.com has since confirmed that both fighters have verbally agreed to the contest. Bout agreements have not yet been signed.

While not yet officially announced by the organization, UFC 97 is expected to take place on April 18 in Montreal.

Jardine will looking for his second-straight victory after earning a split-decision win over Brandon Vera at UFC 89: Bisping vs Leben in October 2008. Jardine is 3-2 in his past five bouts including wins over Vera, Chuck Liddell and Forrest Griffin. The 33-year-old also suffered losses to Wanderlei Silva and Houston Alexander during that span.

Cane will bring a two-fight win streak into the bout, including TKO wins over Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou and Jason Lambert. The 27-year-old's only career loss came by disqualification due to an illegal knee strike to the head of James Irvin at UFC 79: Nemesis in December 2007.

Eight of Cane's nine career wins have come by knockout or TKO.

Source: mmajunkie.com