According to Graciefighter.com:
Phil Baroni has been nixed by Showtime brass as a possible opponent for Nick Diaz. Attempts to sign Takanori Gomi for the bout went unfulfilled and Jay Hieron has become the front runner to fill the spot.
and MMAWeekly.com:
Jay Hieron, the former International Fight League welterweight champion has signed a multi-fight deal with Strikeforce.
In his first fight, Hieron (17-4) is expected to step in for Joe Riggs to face Nick Diaz (20-7) at Strikeforce “Carano vs. Cyborg” in San Jose, Calif., on Aug. 15. The fight will likely be for the first ever Strikeforce welterweight title.
Strikeforce August 15 card:
– Gina Carano vs. Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos (145-pound title)
– Josh Thomson vs. Gilbert Melendez (LW title)
– Renato “Babalu” Sobral vs. Gegard Mousasi (LHW title)
– Nick Diaz vs. Jay Hieron (WW title)
– Fabricio Werdum vs. TBA
– Isaiah Hill vs. Poppies Martinez
– Ricardo Barros vs. Scott Lighty
– James Terry vs. Jason Von Flue
– Erin Toughill vs. TBA
photo via Esther Lin