Daniel Cormier with the Strikeforce Grand Prix title – Photo via Strikeforce.com
With Wednesday nights late announcement, we now know who Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Champion Daniel Cormier (10-0) will face for his final bout inside the Strikeforce cage.
Former two-time UFC champion Frank Mir (16-6) has agreed to cross promotions to face Cormier with the two meeting on SHOWTIME.
In an interview with MMAWeekly.com, Cormier saw this as a great way to get introduced “to the UFC fans,” by facing a top 10 fighter and former champion. The former Olympic wrestler was also quick to note the similarities between Mir and his last opponent, Josh Barnett whom he beat by decision last May, feeling that Barnett was the more dangerous of the two.
“The reality is Frank Mir is a guy people from the UFC know, he’s been a champion, he’s always around the top of the sport. Frank Mir is going to introduce me to the UFC fans a little bit more than I would fighting a different guy,” said Cormier.
“There’s no motivation like fighting a champion. I respect Frank, the fight’s very similar to Josh Barnett. I think Josh Barnett is better,” Cormier revealed.
“No disrespect to Frank, but I think Josh is better and I’m going to train as if I’m fighting Josh Barnett again, and let’s see how this fight plays out.”
Both Cormier and Mir will meet this October at an as-of-yet-to-be-announced Strikeforce event, vice September 29 as was tentatively scheduled. The September date was changed likely, as it conflicted with the upcoming UFC on Fuel TV: Struve vs. Miocic in England.