Without further ado (and there's been a lot of it), Showtime will be presenting MMA fans around the world with a much-delayed (but worthwhile) climax to the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix saga. I chose to post an old fan-made poster circa the tournament's initial announcement to illustrate how things have changed. Since the tournament containing eight of the best heavyweights in the world began its quest to crown the king of the division, we now find ourselves with the tournament final of Josh "The Babyfaced Assassin" (or Warmaster depending on who you ask) Barnett versus "D.C." Daniel Cormier. If you predicted this as the tournament final when the high-stakes spectacle was initially announced, then go take a shower, because I smell bullshit in your words. Barnett's barely on the damn poster and D.C. was regarded somewhere between a skidmark on the tourney's alternates circuit or a nice prospect, but only because his primary training partner was a man named Cain Velasquez. I've got to say, I always imagined Barnett in the finals (although maybe not as easy as he made it look along the way) but I don't have the poker face to say the man I saw him against would be the guy who looks like a somewhat tougher version of 'Carl' from Family Matters. And Gilbert Melendez makes a guest appearance, which will be nice. Oh wait, he's fighting? Well, then...
Lightweight Bout: Gesias Cavalcante vs. Isaac Vallie-Flagg The other Cavalcante on the card looks to regain some of the attention that was on him just a few years ago that had him in talks for toughest lightweights in the world. Not exactly anymore. But che should be able to thwart anything Isaa "The Valley Girl" Vallie-Flagg throws his way. Not really his nickname. But it should be. Don't believe me? Check the quality of opposition. If JZ loses this, then he's even done as a high-level gatekeeper if you ask me. The other Cavalcante via decision.
Welterweight Bout: Nah-Shon Burrell vs. Chris Spang A battle only watched by hardcore fans that will surely see the live audience go snag their food. And it's on the main card? I know JZ Cavalcante has fallen a bit, but geez. Kinda harsh. Burrell via 2nd round TKO.
Light-Heavyweight Bout: Rafael Cavalcante vs. Mike Kyle A rematch a few years in the making where Feijao will look to erase the L on his record from when MAK pasted him back in 2009 with a brutal knockout. Cavalcante wasn't taking him seriously at the time (could you blame him, though?) and Kyle made him pay for it. Kyle has really come into his strike at heavyweight, rededicating himself after the birth of his child as well as a long suspension stemming from what can be vaguely described as very unsportsmanlike conduct in a past bout. He's only lost at heavyweight in recent memory, and that's a division he has no place at. He's been impressive enough that I was looking forward to seeing the long-teased fight between he and former champ, Gegard Mousasi. He'll have to settle for Feijao, though, who has improved since their last outing and won a title. Not a bad name to add to your resume twice. On paper, the Brazilian is better in each skill, even if Kyle hits harder. Still, though Kyle's got the better chin, and if he can connect squarely, people may be talking about Mike Kyle come Sunday morning. I won't be surprised if I'm wrong, but I have to go with the guy who's more skilled: Cavalcante via 2nd round TKO.
Strikeforce Lightweight Title Fight: Gilbert Melendez vs. Josh Thompson If this trilogy had happened sooner after their last fight, I would have been more interested. Thompson seems to have reached his peak as a fighter, and it appears he is sliding out of his athletic prime as years of hard training are catching up. He got a gift decision against JZ and got beaten decisively against Tatsuya Kawajiri. Remember what Melendez did to him? Let me refresh your memory-it involved a lot of elbows and a little bit of time. Thompson still is a game fighter, though, and I don't expect him to go down easy. I don't think Gil steamrolls him as fast as the odds would suggest, but I expect a convincing decision from the man they call "El Nino." Then let's talk UFC, please.
Heavyweight Grand Prix Final: Josh Barnett vs. Daniel Cormier I introduced this one enough in the intro. It's breakdown time. Let's talk facts. Bigfoot looked great against Fedor in that second round. D.C. looked great against Bigfoot. But that doesn't mean he should be favored to win here. Bigfoot lumbered around the ring with all the poise and grace of Frankenstein meanwhile serving his head on a silver platter to the upstart, like some giant deformed pinata.
The Olympic powerhouse, Daniel Cormier is surely one to keep your eyes on still, but, much like Shane Carwin's career, time is against him. At age 33, D.C. is off to a late start and I think that doesn't help his chances here, either. At the same time, Barnett's 34, so he doesn't have that many years at an elite level left in him, either. In fact, if Cormier wins this decisively, it's pretty obvious that Barnett's athletic peak may have past him by. Long story short, the time is now for both of these guys. Although they are both at very different points in their careers, they are just as much in need of a W on Saturday night in order to have a head start capitalizing on the next few years to cement a legacy.
It's almost weird to think that D.C. has a lot to prove being a prospect, but Barnett has plenty to prove for different reasons. He has always been regarded among the top heavyweights, only falling out of top contender talk due to inactivity against top opponents after Affliction folded
Skill set-wise, Barnett has always been regarded as one of the best. He's easily the most well-rounded heavyweight in the top 10, and one has to think that he always had it in him to be THE best, a theory perpetuated strongly by Joe Rogan. It is yet to be seen whether he still can or if he spent the time when he should have been THE SHIT sidelined.
Speaking of skill sets, no one has better, more suffocating top control than J.B. "The Warmaster" has shown time and time again that if he gets on top of you, that's a wrap. He can hit submissions from a variety of positions. His stand-up is underrated, he hits hard, and if it gets overlooked, it's at his opponent's expense. His catch-wrestling style wears on opponents and is very physically taxing.
D.C., on the other hand, has improved by leaps and bounds in the striking department. The dude hits like a truck. His Olympic-caliber wrestling is...literally Olympic-caliber. He can definitely implement a sprawl and brawl gameplan against Barnett, occasionally mixing in a takedown to score points. Barnett's best bet would be to make it nasty, pin Cormier against the fence, utilize dirty boxing, hold a heavy base and dump D.C. on his Olympic ass. We could be in for one of the best heavyweight fights in a while, or an uneventful war of attrition. I'm "pinning" my hopes and money on an exciting bout, though.
Make no mistake. D.C. would win every wrestling match they'd have, but it is Barnett who has the better wrestling for MMA. Both have solid stand-up, with Cormier getting the decided edge in power. Barnett can hit submissions out of many positions. Cormier also is coming off of breaking and re-breaking his hand, likely limiting his potential for improvement. I'm also sold on Barnett's cardio more so than D.C., and he has the more taxing style for his opponent. I'll be surprised if Barnett's past his prime already, which is essentially what D.C.'s chance is riding on here. I wouldn't be surprised to read either man's name in the headlines on Sunday morning, but on paper, this is Barnett's fight for the taking. Josh "The Babyfaced Assassin" Barnett...unanimous decision.
Got some differing opinions? Let's here 'em!
