MMA Junkie is reporting that Joe Riggs wasn’t cleared by the California State Athletic Commision and will be replaced by Drew Fickett on Friday’s Strikeforce show:

Riggs had been scheduled to fight for the first time since injuring his back at a February Strikeforce event. The bout was halted after Riggs was injured during a hip toss from opponent Cory Devela. He had spinal surgery soon after the bout. It was his third back procedure in 12 months. However, doctors predicted a quick recovery time after the latest surgery, which helped relieve pressure on his sciatic nerve.

However, it’s believed the back injury wasn’t the reason the commission declined to approve him for the bout.

No word as of yet to why the Commission *didn’t* approve Riggs for the bout. We’ll have live coverage of the Strikeforce show headlined by Josh Thomson vs. Gilbert Melendez starting at 8 PM Pacific/11 PM Eastern…

Riggs out, Fickett in @ MMA Junkie