Strikeforce Cancels Nov. 3 Event Due to Injuries, Plans January 2013 Return on Showtime
Strikeforce has canceled its planned Nov. 3 show in Oklahoma City after a string of injuries crippled the card.
Promotion officials announced the news on Friday, revealing that the Zuffa-owned organization plans to return to Showtime with its next event in January 2013. Patrons who bought tickets for the Nov. 3 show may refund their purchase at the point of sale, according to the release. No further details were revealed.
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Strikeforce’s Nov. 3 offering was expected to take place at the Chesapeake Energy Arena and feature a headlining heavyweight attraction between Strikeforce grand prix winner Daniel Cormier and ex-UFC king Frank Mir. However, Mir was forced to withdraw due to injury, and Cormier’s replacement opponent was never announced.
Weeks after Mir’s withdrawal, the main draw took two more significant hits, as former Olympic wrestling silver medalist Sara McMann pulled out of her booking against Liz Carmouche, and middleweight champion Luke Rockhold saw a hand injury do away with his plans to defend his title against Lorenz Larkin.
“While we're disappointed with the cancellation, we are looking forward to an even bigger Strikeforce event on Showtime early next year,” said Stephen Espinoza, executive vice president and general manager of Showtime Sports.
The Nov. 3 cancellation marks the second consecutive Strikeforce show to be nixed due to injury, as the promotion’s Sept. 29 offering was scratched on just one week’s notice following lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez’s withdrawal from his headlining title defense against Pat Healy.
