(Video via YouTube.com/AllElbows)
It may have lost some steam along the way, but the Heavyweight Grand Prix, Strikeforce’s little engine that could, is pulling into the station this evening. Tournament finalists Daniel Cormier and Josh Barnett will slug it out to decide who rules the now-defunct Strikeforce Heavyweight division and get their face plastered on one of those cheesy motivational office posters. Cormier, the two-time Olympian, tipped the scales at 238lbs; his opponent, Josh Barnett, will enjoy a 10lb advantage when they climb into the cage. Those of you ballsy enough to bet “other” as the tournament winner way back in January ’11 are on the verge of a mega-payout this evening.
Strikeforce Lightweight champ Gilbert Melendez will defend his title in a rubbermatch against Josh Thompson. Rumors swirled online that a serious knee injury would sideline “The Punk” from tonight’s bout, but he was able-bodied enough to step up on the scale. Both men tallied a weight of 153lbs and will look to settle the score in San Jose.
We’re liveblogging the crap out of this thing tonight, so join us back here for the festivities.
Weigh-In Results: (via MMAWeekly.com)
Main Event:
Josh Barnett (248) vs. Daniel Cormier (238)
Co-Main Event:
Gilbert Melendez (153) vs. Josh Thomson (153)
Main Card Bouts:
Mike Kyle (203) vs. Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante (206)
Nah-shon Burrell (170) vs. Chris Spang (169)
Preliminary Card Bouts:
JZ Cavalcante (156) vs. Isaac Vallie-Flagg (156)
Virgil Zwicker (204) vs. Carlos Inocente (205)
Gian Villante (205) vs. Derek Mehmen (205)
Quinn Mulhern (170) vs. Yuri Villefort (170)
James Terry (156.25) vs. Bobby Green (155)