When Joe Riggs was forced to withdraw from his upcoming fight with Nick Diaz last week, it appeared that Diaz would be forced off the Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg fight card completely.

Last week’s complete collapse of Affliction may continue to provide silver linings however, as Jay Hieron appears to be the leading candidate to replace Riggs against Diaz.

According to GracieFighter.com:

Phil Baroni has been nixed by Showtime brass as a possible opponent for Nick Diaz. Attempts to sign Takanori Gomi for the bout went unfulfilled and Jay Hieron has become the front runner to fill the spot.

Despite persistent reports, Gilbert Melendez is still slated to fight Josh Thomson. Melendez is ready and looks forward to redeeming himself from their last encounter.

Tito Ortiz’s apparent return to the UFC will nix plans for a future Diaz vs. Ortiz fight. Diaz had sought out the fight and was prepared to fight Ortiz after Ortiz took on a tune up fight in the organization.

Hieron was scheduled to fight PauL Daley on the Affliction: Trilogy fight card so he was already in fighting shape and ready to compete. With the Strikeforce card only two weeks after the scheduled date for the Affliction show, the matchup seems like a natural fit.

Interesting that Diaz was looking to pick a fight with Tito Ortiz though…