Frank Mir set to face Daniel Cormier in Strikeforce

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight champion Frank Mir (16-6) is temporarily leaving the octagon in favour of a Strikeforce cage.

USA Today Sports confirmed with UFC and Strikeforce officials that Mir had agreed to meet Strikeforce grand prix winner and former two-time Olympic wrestler Daniel Cormier (10-0) at a yet-to-be-announced Strikeforce event expected to take place in late October.

It will air on Showtime.

“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.”

Strikeforce was purchased by the UFC’s parent company, Zuffa, in March 2011. The companies have since operated independently, and differences between White and Strikeforce’s broadcast partners at Showtime have led to a largely frosty relationship. However, this booking represents a temporary change in direction, as the UFC and Strikeforce rosters were previously considered mutually exclusive.

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