Jesse Taylor will step in for Nick Diaz this Saturday against Jay Hieron at Strikeforce "Carano vs. Cyborg". The news, first reported by Sherdog.com, was later confirmed by a source close to the fight who informed FiveKnuckles.com that Diaz intentionally declined to show up for a scheduled drug test due to the possibility that he may test positive for marijuana.

Hieron (17-4) will instead face UFC castoff Jesse Taylor who has rededicated himself to his craft after being dropped by the UFC. Taylor a TUF 8 alum who was given a number of chances with UFC, failed to redeem himself after numerous improprieties stemming from mainly from excessive drinking. A newly invigorated Taylor has reeled off seven straight since being dropped from the UFC last year, to up his overall record to (13-3).

Hieron and Taylor will face one another in a non-title fight at Strikeforce "Carano vs. Cyborg" and the fight will be one of four televised on Showtime this Saturday starting at 10:30pm EST.