Daniel Cormier vs. Frank Mir Booked For Oct./Nov. Strikeforce Event

(Photo by Esther Lin via MMAFighting)

Daniel Cormier has an opponent for his final fight in Strikeforce, and it’s a good one.

The Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix champion will meet former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir in the co-main event of Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Healy at a unannounced Strikeforce event in Oct. or Nov., according to a Tweet from John Morgan of MMAJunkie.com

The Cormier vs. Mir bout was reported and confirmed by USA Today.

“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 told USA Today. “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.”

According to Mir’s manager, Malki Kawa, the fight will be a five-round title fight. It is unknown if Cormier’s Grand Prix belt will be up for grabs or if the organization will create a new heavyweight championship title.

Cormier (10-0) has only been professional in the sport for less than three years and is already one of the best fighters in the world. The former Olympic wrestler has finished seven of his 10 opponents in the first round and is rapidly developing his striking to the point where it is just as dangerous as his wrestling. Being so green in the sport, Cormier is always a new and improved version of himself every time he competes. After his dominant win against Josh Barnett earlier this year to win the Strikeforce Grand Prix title, it will be interested to see how Cormier fairs against another former UFC champion.

Mir (16-6) will make the transition from the UFC to Strikeforce for just one fight after failing to capture the UFC heavyweight championship from Junior dos Santos last May. Prior to the defeat, Mir had won three fights in the a row including a brutal disfiguration of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira’s arm at UFC 140. Mir is the longest reigning active heavyweight on the UFC roster and will look to halt the rise of one of the heavyweight division’s rising stars when he moves over to Strikeforce to fight Cormier.

For up-to-date versions of all upcoming fight cards, head over to the rumors section.

Mike Bohn, founder and lead writer of FightCove.com, wrote this article. You can follow Mike on Twitter at @FightCoveMike. Also, be sure to follow @FightCove on Twitter and “Like” Fight Cove on Facebook.