Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Kharitonov, the next leg of the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix, may seem pointless now that Alistair Overeem is out of the tournament and into the UFC, but in reality you do not want to miss this event, you will miss the rise of a future heavyweight champion!
Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva has been the dark horse of the heavyweight division (not just in Strikeforce but in perhaps all of MMA). People have criticized him and claimed that he wasn’t a top 10 fighter but Silva has consistently proven them wrong, especially against Fedor Emelianenko.
Silva is a massive Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt who is also heavy handed. He will need all of his size and strength when he meets tournament alternate Daniel Cormier.
Cormier is one of the most credentialed wrestlers to enter mixed martial arts and is currently undefeated. Aside from his wrestling, his kickboxing is also very finely tuned thanks to training under Javier Mendes at the American Kickboxing Academy.
Both of these men are more skilled than people give them credit for. It’s totally possible that the Zuffa may one day choose to absorb Strikeforce into the UFC. If this was one day the case, Silva and Cormier would instantly become forces in the UFC heavyweight division.
What will happen when these two meet tonight?
Cormier, despite his newfound striking ability, likely won’t risk trading blows with the massive Brazilian and will use his wrestling to stymie, smother, and frustrate his opponent en route to a late TKO or a unanimous decision victory.
Bleacher Report’s Matthew Saccaro