Alistair Overeem Out of Strikeforce Grand Prix; Replaced by Daniel Cormier

And just like that, Alistair Overeem is out of the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix.

The current Strikeforce heavyweight champion has been removed from the tournament and will be replaced by Daniel Cormier, who will now face Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva. The semifinal round of the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix is currently set for Sept. 10. The location has not been announced.

The news was confirmed to MMAWeekly.com by sources close to the situation on Monday. Tatame.com first reported the switch.

Overeem stated on Monday that he had been approached to fight on the Sept. 10 fight card, but wasn’t prepared to accept the timing of the bout. Officials decided to remove Overeem from the tournament. He will be replaced by undefeated American Kickboxing Academy fighter Daniel Cormier.

Cormier last fought in June on the same card as Overeem, where he dominated Jeff Monson for three rounds en route to a lopsided decision win.

The former Olympian will look to keep his record perfect when he takes a dramatic step up in competition to face Silva in September.

As for the future of Alistair Overeem, that remains to be seen. While he is out of the tournament for now, there’s been no word from Zuffa or Strikeforce officials if he will remain in the company or what the recourse, if any, for this situation will be.

MMAWeekly.com will have more information on this story as it develops.

Damon Martin is the lead staff writer and radio host for MMAWeekly.com.
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