5 fights, 5 stoppages and some surprises along the way were the story as Strikeforce gets one step closer to the finale of the Heavyweight Grand Prix. A highly entertaining event despite my awful night of predictions (1 for 5) but still as the future of Strikeforce hangs in the balance as the dust settles on this event it still had a big impact as far as rankings are concerned. The 2 Heavyweight winners make a jump and the new Middleweight champion will be debuting in alot of peoples rankings in the week to come. Strikeforce also gains something they are in need of..title contenders..as the lightweight bout to open the action could very well has created one for champion Gilbert Melendez's belt.
Josh Barnett defeated Sergei Kharitonov by Submission 4:28 1st Round
My Prediction: Barnett by Submission 2nd Round
My Rating: $$$
What happened: As far as Barnett was concerned everything went as planned. The 2 fighters traded punches early but it was Barnett securing a takedown and immediately getting full mount. Kharitonov did his best to defend against Barnett bucking and rolling to his knees but Barnett rained down some ground and pound that looked like a possible TKO win but Kharitonov rolled again back onto his back but left his arm open for Barnett to latch on an arm triangle choke and into side control which spelled the end of the fight with Kharitonov tapping.
Future matchups to make: 2 fights, 2 submissions as Barnett has one more hurdle in Daniel Cormier in the Grand Prix Finals. For Kharitonov he could face fellow Grand Prix participants Antonio Silva or Fabricio Werdum.
Daniel Cormier defeated Antonio Silva by KO 3:56 1st Round
My Prediction: Silva by TKO 2nd Round
My Rating: $$$1/2
What happened: Speed overcame size in this bout as Cormier literally punched his ticket into the Grand Prix finals. Silva looked outclassed from the start in this bout as Cormier sent Silva to the mat with a big right hand and went against Silva's wishes to keep the fight on the ground. As they both stood up it was pretty clear Silva hadn't completely recovered from the big punch and Cormier continued his punishment on Silva with a nice combination ending with a uppercut that dropped Silva and followed up with some hammerfists on the ground that forced the ref to step in and save Silva.
Future matchups to make: The surprising and undefeated Cormier will now take on Josh Barnett in the Grand Prix finals in a match most likely to happen in early 2012.
Luke Rockhold defeated Ronaldo Souza by Unanimous Decision (48-47, 48-47, 50-45)
My Rating: $$$1/2
What happened: In a tightly contested bout much closer than the surprising score of 50-45 one judge scored it Rockhold was able to walk away the new Strikforce champion by outstriking Jacare in quantity and doing an excellent job not allowing the Jiu Jitsu ace to keep him down on the mat. Souza pretty much relied on his right hand to score points as he did on occasion but not enough to counter the more active Rockhold.
Future matchups to make: A bout that was previously cancelled against Tim Kennedy will most likely be new champion Rockhold's first test as champ.
Muhammed Lawal defeated Roger Gracie by KO 4:33 1st Round
My Prediction: Gracie by Submission 2nd Round
My Rating: $$
What happened: Not a second of ground fighting took place with those 2 ground experts and both played a tentative game on the feet. With Gracie respecting Lawal's power and Lawal respecting Gracie's reach both fighters circled each other cautiously. With his left hand down by his side it was Lawal that landed his big right hand that floored Gracie, Lawal followed up with a few strikes to a laid out Gracie.
Future matchups to make: A title shot for Lawal will probably be in his future either against champion Dan Henderson or a rematch against Rafael Calvancante for the vacant title if Henderson signs with the UFC.
My Rating: $$1/2
What happened: Surviving a few illegal kicks that cost Blanco a point in the first round Healy was able to survive the expected striking barrage from Blanco to get the submission win. As mentioned Healy was able to weather the storm of Blanco's striking but it was Healy would got a decent shot of his own in that dropped Blanco and Healy followed up with a rear naked choke attempt that Blanco defending but wasn't so luck the second time around.
Future matchups to make: Healy should see himself in a pretty important bout in the Strikeforce Lightweight division, possibly against Blanco's original opponent Josh Thomson.
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