In the Cage – 10.12.12

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 announced today that due to injuries to main event heavyweight, Frank Mir, and to co-main event middleweight champion, Luke Rockhold, it will be canceling it’s Nov. 3 card in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

This is the second straight card cancelled by Strikeforce due to injuries to either the main event fight, or co-main event.

Strikeforce also announced in the press release obtained by The MMA Corner that they are planning an event for January 2013 to air on Showtime.

On the day of Bellator 76, Bellator announced that they would be headed back to Hammond, Indiana for Bellator 84 bringing in two tournament finals for the card.

The two tournament finals include the conclusion of the season seven featherweight and heavyweight finals. The card will also bring in a women’s fight between Felice Herrig, and Michelle Gutierrez.

Gutierrez and Herrig have met once before with Herrig winning the fight by a second round armbar victory.

Bellator 84 will be the final card aired on MTV 2 by Bellator before their permanent switch over to Spike TV.

In a prepared statement e-mailed to MMA Junkie by Jake Shields’ reps at Authentic Sports Management, the middleweight says he has been suspended six months by the Colorado Boxing Commission for usage of a banned substance.

The statement did not state whether or not the fight would be overturned nor did it say what substance Shields was suspended for.

“Prior to my professional bout at UFC 150 in Denver, Colo., I used a substance prohibited by Colorado Boxing Commission rules,” Shields said. “This was a mistake that I fully regret. I have shared this issue with my family and the UFC, and I have apologized to them and now I also apologize to you, the fans. I promise this will never occur again in my fighting career.

“I accept the boxing commission’s decision for a six-month suspension, which will expire in February. I ask that you accept my apology. I will be back fighting soon, and hope that the fans of MMA will support me until that time.”

Shields defeated Ed Herman by unanimous decision at UFC 150.

In kickboxing news, a press release obtained by The MMA Corner announces that both Daniel Ghita and Rico Verhoeven have signed with GLORY.

The 31-year-old Ghita (44-7) was the last reigning heavyweight champion for It’s Showtime before it was purchased by GLORY. Ghita signed a multi-year exclusive deal with GLORY.

Also signing a multi-year, exclusive deal with GLORY is 23-year-old Rico Verhoeven. Verhoeven (37-6-1) and Ghita are expected to make their GLORY debut on Dec. 2 as part of GLORY’s 16-man single elimination tournament.