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Cyrille Diabate vs. Steve Cantwell added to UFC on Versus 3 | MMAjunkie.com

Steve Cantwell (7-3 MMA, 1-2 UFC) has another fight if he can keep it.

Sources close to the negotiations today told MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com) that the light heavyweight is expected to meet Cyrille Diabate (16-7-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) at UFC on Versus 3. ESPN.com first reported the booking.

UFC on Versus 3 takes place March 3.

It's expected to take place at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Ky., though the promotion has yet to make official the event or location. Versus airs the evening's main card.

Cantwell vs. Diabate, though, is expected to be part of the event's preliminary card.

Cantwell has had a difficult time getting into the octagon as of late. The former WEC light-heavyweight champion was due to meet Stanislav Nedkov in October at UFC 120 but was forced to withdraw only 48 hours prior to the event with a knee injury suffered in the practice room.

It was supposed to be Cantwell's first fight back after the Nevada State Athletic Commission refused to issue him medical clearance for a fight against Vladimir Matyushenko at UFC 108. He spent five months on the bench as the commission reviewed his denial, which centered around the medical paperwork he submitted for the January bout. In May the commission gave him the all-clear for a fight license.

Cantwell was heavily rumored for a bout with Ricardo Romero in July at UFC 116, but the bout did not materialize. He hasn't fought since September 2009, when he lost a unanimous decision to former WEC champ Brian Stann in a rubber match of two previous meetings in which they swapped wins. His skid started one fight prior when he was outpointed by Luis Cane at UFC 97.

So it's easy to surmise that if Cantwell doesn't make this fight, he may find himself on the unemployment line.

Diabate is not safe either following a submission loss to Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 120. The setback snapped a six-fight win streak capped by an impressive knockout win over Cane in the striker's octagon debut at UFC 114.