Strikeforce Heavyweight tournament champion Daniel Cormier got some exciting news when it was revealed that former UFC champ Frank Mir would be coming to Strikeforce to face Cormier. As recently as last week it appeared that Cormier would at best be facing a has-been like Tim Sylvia. When even that bout was scotched by Dana White, fans despaired that Cormier would get even a formerly credible opponent in his final Strikeforce fight before moving to the UFC.
Cormier spoke to MMA Weekly about fighting Mir:
“Tim Sylvia’s accomplished a lot, but he just hasn’t really fought in the top of the sport for a while. No disrespect to Tim, but this is a much easier fight to get pumped up for. I dropped my phone a couple of times while I was trying to look at Twitter.
“You’ve got to tip your hat off to the executives at Zuffa for doing something like that and to Frank Mir for doing it. I respect Frank greatly for stepping in and taking this fight. This fight can elevate my status in the sport a ton.
“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.”
Mir should be applauded for his willingness to take a bout in Strikeforce. I’m sure that Dana White and Zuffa are making it worth his while. One can only hope Mir will be merely the first UFC star to pay a visit to Strikeforce.
Related Stories: Frank Mir Moves To Strikeforce To Face Daniel Cormier On a Yet-Unannounced Card | Tim Sylvia Not Signed To Strikeforce To Fight Daniel Cormier