Another day, another injury for a Zuffa-owned promotion. In this instance, former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir has been forced out of his Nov. 3, Strikeforce bout with Heavyweight Grand Prix champion Daniel Cormier.

However, despite the unfortunate news for the Oklahoma City event, a familiar face is willing to take Mir’s place in the headlining fight.

Speaking to MMA Interviews’ Spencer Lazara, Brazilian big man Fabricio Werdum expressed his interest in the fight with the Olympic-caliber wrestler. Although “Vai Cavalo” has been in Colombia doing promotion for the UFC, he revealed that he would soon be talking to his King’s MMA trainer Rafael Cordeiro about the fight.

Werdum may be the perfect replacement for the injured Mir. After all, Werdum is looking for a fast track to a UFC title shot and the fighter has already competed for Strikeforce in the past. In fact, Werdum’s signature win came against MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko under the promotion’s banner—submitting the Russian with a triangle-armbar in just 69 seconds.

Since returning to the UFC in early 2012, the grappling ace has shown off a vast improvement in his striking attack, reeling off two straight wins over the durable Roy Nelson and Mike Russow. At UFC 147 in June, Werdum became the first man to stop Russow in the Octagon with his first-round TKO victory.

With his only losses in the last four years coming to current UFC champion Junior dos Santos and former Strikeforce champ Alistair Overeem, the Brazilian has a strong case for a high-profile fight. Now, with six weeks to prepare and a potential title shot on the line, Werdum is chomping at the bit for the opportunity to face Cormier.

Photo: Fabricio Werdum (Rob Tatum/The MMA Corner)