Strikeforce: Grand Prix Semi Final's Preview

The Semi-Finals of Strikeforce's Heavyweight Grand-Prix are set to take place at the U.S Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio.  The main event of Josh Barnett taking on Sergei Kharitonov pretty much went according to plan but it's the other side of the bracket that perhaps did go the way the heads of Strikeforce thought or wished.  Not taking anything away from Silva who is a legitimate top 10 Heavyweight and Cormier is one of the best up and coming prospects but you can't help by assume Strikeforce was hoping to cash in on a Fedor vs Overeem or even a rematch between Fedor and Fabricio Werdum.  But on paper and what happens in the cage are two different things and really what makes MMA such a great sport.  So we are left with a co-main event and the other semi-final bout between Antonio Silva and Daniel Cormier,  they still provide us with a pretty intriguing matchup as far as the size matchup is concerned.  Silva will be looking to continue his rise up the rankings and Cormier could go from prospect to ranked fighter over night.  With former Welterweight champion Nick Diaz already booked in a UFC fight against Georges St. Pierre, former Heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem apparently signed to face Brock Lesnar and former Light Heavyweight champion Dan Henderson seemingly right behind them to sign with the UFC it has seemed for the top talent of Strikeforce that it isn't about title fights and tournament wins but unfortunately a race to the UFC.               

Main Event

Heavyweight Tournament Semi-Final

Josh Barnett vs Sergei Kharitonov
30-5 Record 18-4
33 Age 31
256 Weight 250
6'3 Height 6'4
78" Reach 76"
-245 Odds +200

How they got here: Barnett got here by defeated Brett Rogers in the first round of the tournament by submission in the first round.  Barnett has also won 7 fights in a row dating back to 2008.  Kharitonov defeated Andrei Arlovski by TKO in the first round of that fight and the tournament to make this match and has won 2 fights in a row.  This will be Kharitonov's 3rd fight in about 9 months after having a period of inactivity in the 3 years prior.

What to expect: Barnett who faced a heavy handed striker in his first bout will be facing a more well rounded Kharitonov who also is a much more technical in the stand up than Brett Rogers. Kharitonov will want to use those stand up skills at all costs as going to the mat with Barnett could spell alot of trouble with Barnett being one of the better submission specialists in the Heavyweight division.  With that said Kharitonov isn't exactly a fish out of water on the mat just as Barnett isn't with his stand up. Both fighters have the ability to finish fights and early but it could come down to cardio and condition for who comes out on top with this one, will Barnett get Kharitionov down and grind him with smothering top control or will Kharitonov be able stuff the takedowns and pick Barnett apart?.  No matter who does end up victorious should see them selves getting a good bump up the rankings and as the possible favorite to win the whole tournament.

My Prediction: Barnett by Submission 2nd Round

Heavyweight Tournament Semi-Final

Antonio Silva vs Daniel Cormier

16-2 Record 8-0

31 Age 32

264 Weight 239.5

6'4 Height 5'11

82" Reach 72"
-170 Odds +150

How they got here: Silva is coming off his biggest win of his career defeated former Heavyweight kingpin Fedor Emelianenko in the first round of the tournament and has won 3 in a row overall.  The undefeated Cormier is stepping in for Alistair Overeem and is coming off the biggest win of his career against Jeff Monson.  Clearly when this tournament was made Strikeforce made this side of the bracket hoping for a big matchup of Fedor versus the winner of the Overeem/Werdum bout but as is the case in MMA anything could happen and were left with none of the previous mentioned fighters in the 2nd round.

What to expect: Silva will most likely want to replicate the same game plan he implemented against Emelianenko which was to use he enormous size to overwhelm his much smaller opponent and get the TKO win.  Cormier had shown some improve stand up skills in his last bout but the question is would it really be wise to stand and trade with someone that is 5 inches taller than him and has a 10 inch reach advantage.  Cormier's real strength is his wrestling, but even if he was able to get Silva done could he really hold him there and stay on stop is the biggest question of this fight.

My Prediction: Silva by TKO 2nd Round

Middleweight Championship

Ronaldo Souza vs Luke Rockhold

14-2 Record 7-1

31 Age 26

184.5 Weight 185

6'0 Height 6'3

74" Reach N/A
-350 Odds +285

How they got here: Souza is defending his title for the 2nd time after having submitted Robbie Lawler in his most recent fight and has won 5 in a row.  Rockhold earned this title shot but winning 6 in a row all in Strikeforce and all by submission.  This is Rockhold's first fight of 2011 and has only 1 in the last 2 years.

What to expect: Although Rockhold does have some solid skills on the ground Jacare is a different level with his Jiu Jitsu, really one of the best in all of MMA.  With that said it would probably be in Rockhold's best interest to keep this fight standing where he has the most chance of winning this fight but that is easier said then done when Jacare has 25 minutes to work on you and has improved his standup to boot.  Look for Jacare to get in close and getting a takedown and most likely a submission.

My Prediction: Souza by Submission 2nd Round

Roger Gracie vs Muhammed Lawal

4-0 Record 7-1

29 Age 30

206 Weight 204

6'4 Height 6'0

79" Reach 78"
+115 Odds -140

How they got here: This fight was originally set to take place earlier this year but an injury to Gracie forced it to be re-booked.  Gracie, who now is dedicating most of his time to MMA has won his first 2 Strikeforce fights most recently a submission win over Trevor Prangley.  Lawal has been out of action since losing the Light Heavyweight title to Rafael Cavalcante last August.

What to expect: Wrestling vs Jiu Jitsu in this one and both are at a high level in their respective strengths.  We see alot of times when 2 great ground fighters meet the fight ends up in a standup battle but I don't see that being the case with this one.  Both fighters have the best chance of winning by staying within their comfort soon of their strength.  The problem with Lawal's wrestling though is that it could play right into Gracie getting a submission, keeping Gracie busy defending ground and pound as well as condition will be the biggest keys to this fight.

My Prediction: Gracie by Submission 2nd Round

Maximo Blanco vs Pat Healy

8-2-1 Record 27-17

28 Age 27

155 Weight 155

5'8 Height 5'9

N/A Reach 72"

How they got here: Blanco will be making his Strikeforce debut after having fought exclusively in Japan for Sengoku and Pancrase.  Overall Blanco has won 6 fights in a row, but has only been beat once and the other loss on his record is a DQ.  Healy steps in on short notice for Josh Thomson who had to pull out of the fight due to injury.  Healy just fought last month defeated Eric Wisely and has won 2 in a row overall.

What to expect: Healy weathering the storm from an early attack from Blanco and slowing down the pace should be the game plan for Healy.  As metioned Blanco will probably try and rush Healy and look for a TKO, but I think the experience of Healy should come through for him to at least get this fight to the judges.

My Prediction: Blanco by Decision

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