Frank Mir
The mystery of who is to face Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Tournament winner Daniel Cormier (10-0) has come to an official end, as former UFC champion Frank Mir (16-6) has agreed to cross promotions to face the former Olympian this October.
News of the match surfaced late Wednesday night (while I was asleep with a bad cold) from USA Today who learned of the match through UFC president Dana White.
“There has been a lot of speculation as to who Cormier would fight next, and this is the fight that makes the most sense,” UFC President Dana White said. “The reality is, Cormier is one of the best heavyweights in the world. He just won the grand prix and beat Josh Barnett. He needs to fight opponents of that caliber, and Frank Mir is that guy.”
The bout will take place at an as-of-yet-to-be-announced Strikeforce event in October with the main card airing on SHOWTIME.
After the bout, both Mir and Cormier will compete in the Octagon, putting an end to the heavyweight division for Strikeforce.
Mir is coming off a loss to UFC heavyweight champ Junior dos Santos this past May at UFC 146. Mir, who had won the belt twice in the past, failed to do so for a third time losing via second round TKO. The loss ended a three fight win streak for Mir who earned wins over Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira, Roy Nelson, and Mirko Filipovi?.
Cormier became the Grand Prix champion last May, winning a decision over Josh Barnett in an entertaining bout in the tournament final. The former wrestling Olympian had stopped Antonio Silva in the semifinals, after replacing Alistair Overeem, and won a decision against Jeff Monson in the first round competing as an alternate.