Strikeforce Cancels November 3 Show, but Plans Return to Showtime in January

Following a devastating string of injuries, Strikeforce has decided to cancel its upcoming Nov. 3 fight card scheduled for Oklahoma City, Okla., but will remain on Showtime with its next show planned for January 2013.

Following a week of speculation about the promotion’s future after injuries decimated the Nov. 3 fight card, the promotion opted to cancel the event that was set to be headlined by Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix champion Daniel Cormier.

According to Strikeforce officials, the Nov. 3 card has been cancelled and tickets will be refunded at the point of sale.

While the cancellation marks the second consecutive Strikeforce event to be scrapped due to injuries, the promotion will carry on with its next event on Showtime in January 2013.

“Due to a series of injuries, we were forced to cancel the upcoming card on Nov. 3, but are already working to put together a stacked card in January,” Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker said.

Showtime Executive Vice President Stephen Espinoza echoed those comments, saying that the promotion’s future with the network will carry on in January.

“While we’re disappointed with the cancellation, we are looking forward to an even bigger Strikeforce event on Showtime early next year,” said Espinoza.

The main event for the Nov. 3 card was put into jeopardy weeks ago when former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir was injured and forced out of the fight against Cormier.

Following that news, Strikeforce middleweight champion Luke Rockhold also fell off the card due to injury, and then a day later Olympic silver medalist Sara McMann also dropped off the card.

The Nov. 3 Strikeforce show will not go on, but the promotion plans a grand return to Showtime in January, presumably with many of the fighters who have been injured, ready to go for a 2013 kickoff show.

MMAWeekly.com will have more information on the next Strikeforce show as it becomes available.