AXS TV MMA reporter Ron Kruck will be performing play-by-play commentary duties for Showtime at Saturday's Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine. MMA Fighting's Ariel Helwani confirmed the news with Showtime officials.

According to those officials, Ranallo will not be able to serve in his traditional role as play-by-play broadcaster for the final Strikeforce show as he is attending to a private family matter. Instead, Kruck will guide the broadcast alongside color commentators Frank Shamrock and Pat Miletich.

While Saturday's Strikeforce show is the last of its kind, Showtime has indicated interest in continuing to broadcast MMA events. The use of Kruck is only for this event and not a permanent switch.

In addition to his current responsibilities at AXS TV, Kruck has commentated other MMA events including Maximum Fighting Championships and World Mixed Martial Arts Sports shows.

Ranallo has served as the play-by-play commentator for a number of MMA organizations including Invicta FC, PRIDE, M-1 Global and the Score Fighting Series. He has commentated both MMA and boxing for Showtime Sports.

Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine takes place at the Chesapeake Energy Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The preliminary card will be broadcast on Showtime Extreme beginning at 8 p.m. ET and Showtime at 10 p.m. ET.