PRO MMA (http://promma.info) has learned from Strikeforce Director of Communications Mike Afromowitz that Joe “Diesel” Riggs has been scratched from Strikeforce’s August 15 event due to an adverse reaction to an unknown drug.
Riggs was scheduled to face Nick Diaz for the newly created Strikeforce Welterweight Title but will instead be spending the next couple of weeks in the hospital recuperating. A replacement has yet to be announced.
In an already crazy week for MMA, the news of Riggs’ ailment comes just one week after the announcement of Alistair Overeem pulling out of his heavyweight title defense against Fabricio Werdum due to a hand injury.
In what was supposed to be a title heavy event, the August 15 Strikeforce fight card will still feature two other title fights. The main event has Gina Carano taking Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos for the women’s 145 pound title and the co-main event has Gilbert Melendez in a re-match with Josh Thomson for the 155 pound title.