Strikeforce Heavyweight Title Fight: Josh Barnett vs. Daniel Cormier
Odds: (-125 Barnett / -105 Cormier )
Betting Pick: Barnett
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In the main event of the evening, former UFC Heavyweight champion Josh Barnett will square off against undefeated wrestling ace in Daniel Cormier in a big Heavyweight showdown. At this point, the closure of Strikeforce’s Heavyweight division seems inevitable, and a win here would go a long way toward establishing momentum heading into the UFC.
Barnett in particular really needs this win, because his histories of failed steroids test and well-publicized acrimony with UFC President Dana White probably aren’t working in his favor. Out of the ring issues aside, Barnett is one of the most versatile and dangerous Heavyweights in the world, and he is more than capable of testing Cormier in ways the young wrestler has not had to cope with yet.
Josh Barnett is, without a doubt, one of the most versatile Heavyweights in the world. Very few fighters, especially at Heavyweight, have his mix of deadly punching power, wrestling acumen, and fight-ending submissions. Barnett earned himself a UFC Heavyweight Title by destroying Randy Couture, but found his UFC career cut short by a failed steroid test. Later, when scheduled to face Fedor Emelianenko on an Affliction card, Barnett was tagged for steroids again, forcing the cancellation of the show. If Barnett wants to make a last push at proving that he belongs in the Heavyweight Top 10 he is going to need to come into this fight clean and with his takedown defense on point, because a loss here or another failed test would likely spell the end of his career. Barnett has the tools to beat Cormier standing on the ground if he can avoid getting controlled by Cormier’s wrestling, so as long as he fights mistake-free another big win is not unlikely.
Daniel Cormier is definitely one of the Heavyweight division’s most exciting young prospects. Undefeated as a professional, Cormier has used his illustrious amateur wrestling background and some heavy-handed boxing to steadily climb up the Heavyweight ranks. So far, Cormier has handled every step up in competition masterfully, culminating in a drubbing of Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva in his last fight. Cormier has shown that he can hurt guys with his hands, but, more importantly, he has proven that he has the wrestling to put anyone he faces on their back. Silva, like Barnett, is an extremely accomplished submission grappler, and Cormier had no trouble whatsoever controlling him on the ground. Against Barnett he is going to have to couple that submission defense with smart standup, because no one he has had to face is as capable of ending fights no matter where they go.
This is a tough fight to call. Cormier has looked unstoppable so far, blasting his opponents with big power punches and planting them on the ground at will. That said, he hasn’t faced a striker or a grappler as proficient as Barnett, much less a guy who is that good at both. As good as Barnett is on the ground, though, I don’t like his chances if he has to work off his back underneath Cormier. If Barnett is going to win, he is going to have to do it with his superior striking skills, using his grappling to keep Cormier at bay so he can land punches. Ultimately, though, I think Barnett is just too experienced and too versatile for Cormier to deal with. Cormier has never faced anyone who could take a punch like Barnett, much less throw back as effectively as Barnett can. I don’t see Cormier being able to impose his will on Barnett, and as the fight goes on and Cormier’s energy begins to lag, I think Barnett will capitalize and ultimately catch him for the submission victory.
Prediction: Josh Barnett by second round rear naked choke.
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