Nick Diaz vs. Jay Hieron set for Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg

July 30, 2009 | Tim | Comments 0

strikeforce

After Joe Riggs had to pull out of the Strikeforce welterweight title fight with Nick Diaz at August 15th’s Strikeforce event, there was much speculation as to who Diaz’s new opponent would be. Today it was announced that former Affliction fighter Jay Hieron would take Riggs’ place against Diaz.

Hieron had been scheduled to fight Paul Daley at Affliction: Triology before the event was cancelled. He has fought for the WEC, IFL and the UFC previously, amassing a 17-4 MMA record. He has won his past five fights and should present a stiff challenge to Diaz.

Additionally, a highly anticipated Affliction fight between Renato “Babalu” Sobral and Gegard Mousasi that was also cancelled when Affliction went down, has also been moved to the Strikeforce event. Sobral is the Strikeforce light heavyweight champion, and this fight will now be for that belt. Mousasi is a top five middleweight, but expressed a desire to move up in weight after winning the DREAM Middleweight Grand Prix in 2008. This will be his second fight since moving up in weight. He previously defeated Mark Hunt at DREAM.9.

Kudos to Strikeforce for putting these fights together on short notice after Affliction folded.

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