Strikeforce Grand Prix Results: What We Learned from Barnett vs. Cormier

On Saturday night, Josh Barnett faced off against Daniel Cormier in the final round of the Strikeforce Heavyweight World Grand Prix, and Cormier showed he is a top heavyweight with a unanimous decision victory over Barnett at the end of five rounds. He…

On Saturday night, Josh Barnett faced off against Daniel Cormier in the final round of the Strikeforce Heavyweight World Grand Prix, and Cormier showed he is a top heavyweight with a unanimous decision victory over Barnett at the end of five rounds.

Here’s what we learned from the bout.

 

What We’ll Remember about This Fight

In general, Daniel Cormier’s domination of Barnett is the most memorable. Many were torn on which fighter would win, but none thought there would be an easy unanimous decision victory for either combatant.

 

What We Learned about Barnett

He had gone undefeated in four years, and had a legitimate claim to being one of the top heavyweights in the world. Unfortunately, he found out—the hard way—that he was not one of the top five heavyweights in the world in the tournament final.

 

What We Learned about Cormier

He is everything—and more—that his fans expected of him. His striking and wrestling were both too much for Barnett, and the two-time Olympic wrestler showed he is one of the best heavyweights on the planet.

 

What’s Next for Barnett

We’re not sure if he’ll end up in the UFC or not, but Strikeforce will not be the next organization we see Josh Barnett fight in.

 

What’s Next for Cormier

One more “mystery opponent” in Strikeforce, and then he will move over to the Octagon and the UFC.

 

Tim McTiernan is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. For the latest news on everything MMA, follow him on twitter @TimMcTiernan.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com