Saturday, May 19, 2012

Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Cormier preview

It has finally happened. Josh Barnett and Daniel Cormier face off tonight for the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Final.

The winner of this fight will earn one more headliner fight in Strikeforce before being brought to the big payday house of the UFC.

Let's be honest here: Both of these two will be in the UFC. I don't care how jaded Barnett's history with Dana White is. There is money to be made here!

And Cormier is an amazing young prospect. Regardless of the result, he will easily be on a UFC main card in the future.

Now as to the fight at hand, both are legitimate wrestlers so that will probably be a wash. I am going to say, however, that Barnett has a lengthier stand-up history.

I will take Barnett to win by second-round KO.


Lightweight Championship Bout: Gilbert Melendez v. Josh Thomson


Melendez's motivation could be seen as a factor in this fight, as he is pretty much just trying to maintain his ranking and status until his Strikeforce contract is up.

Thomson, however, might not be in a position to win thanks to a banged up knee. He said he is ready for five rounds, but we won't know the extent of the injury until the fight has begun.

This is the final leg of these two's trilogy, and I consider the two to be equals. That said, I'll lean on Melendez to pick up the decision.


Rest of the Main Card


Light Heavyweights: Rafael Cavalcante v. Mike Kyle - I'm going with Cavalcante by Submission in Round 1.

Welterweights: Chris Spang v. Nah-Shon Burrell - Spang by decision

I'll see you all next week for the Bellator season finale and UFC: Heavyweights!

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