In January of 2011, The MMA world rejoiced at the announcement of Strikeforce’s Heavyweight Grand Prix quarterfinal pairings. The promotion collected the best heavyweights outside the UFC and put them together in a star-studded tourney. Some of these names included Emelianenko, Overeem, Barnett, Werdum, Silva and Arlovski. It was genius. MMA heavyweight tournaments have always made commercial success in both Pride and the UFC so why not create a current installment of one of the sport’s greatest thrills? Ever since the start of this tournament back in Febuary of 2011, it has gone completely down hill. I don’t think I can even fit all of the bizarre circumstances that has led to the eminent conclusion of tonight’s finale. It all started on February 12, 2011 when Strikeforce lost its greatest money making draw in Fedor Emelianenko. "The Last Emperor" was turned into a bloody mess by the hands of Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva. The craziness ensued as Strikeforce Heavyweight champion Alaistair Overeem was cut from the promotion after his decision victory over Fabricio Werdum. The reason behind the firing of Overeem was supposedly because of a toe-injury. The tourney was gutted from the inside out. Daniel Cormier was tabbed as the replacement of Overeem after the cut. Cormier delivered the second shocking upset of this tournament by knocking out Bigfoot Silva. Barnett effortlessly made his way to the finale to end up fighting a replacement fighter. But all in all, this finale (accompanied by a lightweight title fight) actually ended up being rather intriguing.
Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Final
Josh “The Warmaster” Barnett Vs. Daniel Cormier
Even after all of the twist and turns in the long and windy road of this tournament, the finals turned out OK. Barnett and Cormier are considered top heavyweights in the MMA world and Barnett even stated that this could be the greatest heavyweight fight ever. Well my expectations are not as high but the intrigue of this fight is still cultivating. Barnett (31-5) absolutely dwarfs Cormier (9-0) in terms of experience. The UFC, Pride, K-1 and Pancrase vet has competed professionally in MMA since 1997 whereas Cormier has only competed since 2009. Cormier arguably has the best wrestling pedigree in all of MMA as a 2004 Olympian. He has also displayed heavy hands in his devastating KO of Bigfoot Silva. Cormier will get the biggest test of his career in Barnett. “The Warmaster” (formerly known as “The Baby Faced Assassin”) will hold a solid seven-inch reach advantage against Cormier. This advantage will hold the former Olympian and his hands of TNT at bay. “The Warmaster” is actually a fitting nickname for the former UFC Heavyweight champ since he is renowned for exploiting his opponent’s weaknesses. With Barnett’s great catch-wrestling and Jiu-Jitsu, Cormier will use his wrestling skills more defensively and keep the fight standing for a KO blow. This fight will prove to be a chess match in the form of tie-ups and clinches against the cage with Barnett trying to takedown Cormier for the first time in his Strikeforce career. Cormier constantly having to defend the takedown will eventually tire him out. If Barnett gets top-position, the fight can be all but over for the former Olympian. Barnett by third round submission is my prediction.
Strikeforce Lightweight Championship
Gilbert “El Nino” Melendez Vs. Josh “The Punk” Thomson
A rubber match for the lightweight belt sounds exciting and awesome, but for some reason this particular fight brings potential yawns. This fight also delays Melendez from fighting top-tier UFC competition. Melendez (20-2) is considered by many as the top lightweight in the world. By staying in Strikeforce Melendez is keeping his stock low in comparison to the likes of Frankie Edgar and Ben Henderson. If this fight were to never happen most would not care. The only appealing aspect is that Thomson was the last man to defeat Melendez. Since that defeat Melendez has racked up six straight including a victory over Thomson. Melendez is a great well-rounded fighter with tremendous wrestling and ever improving boxing. His stand-up skills were evident in his last outing after picking apart Jorge Masvidal in December. Thomson is coming off a unanimous decision victory over former EliteXC Lightweight champ K.J. Noons. Thomson won his fight against Melendez with better stand-up and great takedown defense; this time around it won’t be that easy. Melendez will be willing to stand and trade. This time he will get the better of Thomson in route to a fourth round TKO.
Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante Vs. Mike “MAK” Kyle
Melendez and Thompson aren’t the only two who will have a familiar face across the cage. Feijao and Kyle have faced off once before. In 2009, Kyle earned his first Strikeforce victory by upsetting the Brazilian. Feijao (11-3) had cardio problems back then but the former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight champ will be in much better shape this time around. Kyle (19-8-1 1 NC) likes to brawl and move forward while Cavalcante will look to utilize takedowns and constant movement. Kyle can always land a big right hand that has floored many foes in the past. Feijao will try to utilize his footwork to control the distance. Cavalcante will be motivated from his defeat to Kyle, making him come out more aggressive in route to a first round TKO.
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