Frank Mir Headed To Strikeforce This Fall To Square Off With Daniel Cormier

In an unexpected turn of events, former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir (16-6) is headed to Strikeforce this fall to take on unbeaten standout Daniel Cormier (10-0). 


USA Today first reported news of the bout late Wednesday.


Strikeforce officials announced on Wednesday that Cormier would compete against a yet-unnamed opponent at the promotion's September 29 card in Sacramento, however, he is now expected to compete against Mir this October or November. 


"Daniel Cormier is fighting Frank Mir in Strikeforce. Great match-up," tweeted Cormier's trainer, Javier Mendez, shortly after news of the match broke. "Daniel is excited about the challenge. Go big or go home is his style!"


"Frank is very excited about this opportunity and is very grateful to the UFC for making this fight happen," echoed Mir's manager, Malki Kawa, in the early morning hours of Thursday.


Mir stands as the second straight ex-UFC champ Cormier will face this year, having dominated Josh Barnett en route to a unanimous decision last May. Unbeaten as a professional, the 2008 Olympic wrestling team captain holds a perfect 7-0 record under the Strikeforce banner, including consecutive wins over Jeff Monson, Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva and Barnett. The bout against Mir will stand as Cormier's last as a member of the Strikeforce roster. 


Mir, meanwhile, recently came up short to champ Junior Dos Santos in a heavyweight title bid last May, suffering a second round technical knockout loss. The defeat snapped a three-fight win streak for the longtime UFC vet, having bested Mirko 'Cro Cop', Roy Nelson and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in succession. 


(Pictured: Frank Mir)