The Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix has its final matchup set, and fans can thank former NCAA Division I wrestler Daniel Cormier for taking complete advantage of his position as a late replacement in knocking out Brazilian fighter Antonio Silva in the very first round of their semifinal matchup.
Cormier replaced an injured Alistair Overeem, who was the favorite to win. He went into the fight with Silva as a heavy underdog as Silva was coming off the biggest win of his career over Fedor Emelianenko, who he defeated earlier this year.
Cormier had early success knocking down Silva, and it was all downhill for Bigfoot from there. A visibly hurt Silva couldn’t regain his composure and was eventually knocked out with a brutal uppercut and hammer-fists by Cormier.
At 8-0, Cormier is undefeated and has a lot of momentum behind him as he goes into the final matchup in the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix against Josh Barnett.
Barnett defeated Sergei Kharitonov on the same card by arm-triangle choke in the very first round. Barnett’s other tournament victory was over Brett Rogers.
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