updates to next strikeforce card

Strikeforce middleweight prospect Tim Kennedy (11-2 MMA, 2-0 SF) will finally get his shot on the big stage.

After a two-fight stint in Strikeforce's "Challenger Series" events, the former Army sniper has been tapped to face Strikeforce, UFC and BodogFIGHT veteran Trevor Prangley (22-5-1 MMA, 3-1-1 SF) at "Strikeforce: Los Angeles."

Meanwhile, heavyweight prospect Bobby Lashley (5-0 MMA, 1-0 SF), who was expected to face Ron Sparks at the June 16 event, has been forced to withdraw from the card after suffering a knee injury in training.

Strikeforce officials announced the changes to the card on Wednesday evening.

"Strikeforce: Los Angeles" is a rare mid-week event that takes place at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles in conjunction with the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3).

Kennedy rose to fame partially for an early-career victory over Jason "Mayhem" Miller, as well as his military service. The 30-year-old IFL vet served in the U.S. Army, toured the Middle East multiple times, and won the Army's Bronze Medal Star medal for valor under fire.

Kennedy actually signed with Strikeforce in 2009 after a two-year break the sport due to his military commitments. In a pair of high-profile Strikeforce Challengers bouts, he scored a TKO win over former BodogFIGHT champion Nick Thompson and a submission victory over Zak Cummings, who was 10-0 at the time of their fight.

With his marketability and in-cage success (11 wins in his past 12 fights with 10 stoppages), Kennedy could earn top-contender status with another win or two.

Meanwhile, Prangley has fought all over the world since turning pro in 2001. The 37-year-old South African built a 2-2 record in the UFC before making his Strikeforce debut in 2006.

At 6-foot-1, Prangley also fights frequently in the light heavyweight division.

Prangley's most recent outing was a February technical draw with French striker Karl Amoussou. The intriguing matchup looked promising early, but an accidental eyepoke from Prangley led to a first-round stoppage and the unsatisfying result.

Despite the setback, Prangley is 11-1-1 in his past 13 contests with the lone loss coming to Sengoku champion Jorge Santiago in a November 2007 four-man tournament final bout.

Lashley was hoping to make his second appearance for Strikeforce. The former WWE star and collegiate wrestling champion debuted for the promotion with a January win over "The Ultimate Fighter 10" cast member Wes Sims.

MMAjunkie.com has learned form sources close to the promotion that Sparks is not currently expected to receive a new opponent for the event and will likely fight at a later date.