In the Cage – 7.20.12

Each day, The MMA Corner will provide a recap of results, event announcements, fight matchups, and injuries/cancellations from throughout the world of MMA.

Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix champion Daniel Cormier has his opponent for the planned Sept. 29 event at Power Balance Pavilion in Sacramento, Calif., and it’s former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia. Since a 2008 loss to Fedor Emelianenko, Sylvia has gone 7-2 outside of the major promotional circuits, and publicly campaigned for a return to the UFC. Dana White publicly shut the campaign down, but Strikeforce has signed Sylvia to a multi-fight contract nonetheless after Daniel Cormier’s recent victory over Josh Barnett.

Two lightweights will meet in the middle of the Octagon at UFC 151, as Henry Martinez comes off of a UFC on FX 3 win over Bernardo Magalhaes to challenge TUF: Live alumnus Daron Cruickshank—who was successful in earning a split-decision win over Chris Tickle at The Ultimate Fighter: Live.  Additionally, Yasuhiro Urushitani is confirmed to face off against John Lineker on the same card.

UFC 151 takes place Sept. 1 at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones defends his title in the headliner against Dan Henderson.