Daniel Cormier to Make MMA Debut at Upcoming Strikeforce Challengers

Daniel Cormier, the two-time Olympic wrestler and six-time senior national champion freestyle wrestler, will make his mixed martial arts debut on the September 25 Strikeforce Challengers card at the SpiritBank Events Center in Bixby, Okla. Strikeforce officials would not confirm nor deny Cormier's involvement on the upcoming card.

As of Thursday, no opponent has been signed to face the MMA rookie.

Cormier had a 117-10 record at Oklahoma State University. The 30-year-old finished fourth in the 2004 Olympic games in freestyle wrestling, but was forced to withdraw early from the 2008 Games after suffering from severe dehydration.

"At first, dealing with it was so tough," Cormier told NOLA.com in July. "I went into a shell, and I stayed at home from August to October. I didn't hardly do anything. It was like a part of me was gone."

That wasn't the first time Cormier has had to overcome an obstacle in his personal and professional life. His infant daughter died in a car accident in 2003 and a friend died in a plane crash with the Oklahoma State men's basketball team in 2001.

Cormier will be competing as a light heavyweight fighter in MMA, and has been training with the American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose.

FanHouse has learned that Cormier's MMA debut is scheduled to air on the televised portion of the card. The event, which will air live on Showtime, is headlined by Tim Kennedy vs. Zak Cummings.

Cormier was recently seen cornering Muhammed Lawal in his fight against Mark Kerr at last week's M-1 Global: Breakthrough event, and Lawal told FanHouse on Thursday that he will be returning the favor on September 25.

Below is a look at the updated Strikeforce Challengers card:

Televised Bouts:
Tim Kennedy (9-0) vs. Zak Cummings (10-0)
Ray Sefo (1-0) vs. Kevin Jordan (11-7)
Tyron Woodley (5-0) vs. Zach Light (4-8)
Travis Calanoc (4-0) vs. Thomas Longacre (4-0)
Daniel Cormier (0-0) vs. TBA

Preliminary Bouts:
Lacey Schuckman (2-0) vs. Jeri Sitzes (2-2)
Levi Avera (12-5) vs. Paul Bradley (10-1)
Trey Houston (1-0) vs. Brandon Gaines (4-10)
Kenny Giddens (8-5) vs. John Carson (7-1)
Nick Gibbons (13-0) vs. Josh Pulsifer (11-4)
Lemont Davis (2-3) vs. Dillon Smith (1-0)