Strikeforce: Josh Barnett vs. Daniel Cormier LowKick.com Staff Predictions
Posted on May 18, 2012, 07:12 AM by Anton GurevichStrikeforce Heavyweight GP Final: Josh Barnett vs. Daniel Cormier
Josh Barnett - 31-5 with 7 KO/TKO victories and 19 Submissions, 8 fight winning streak. Most recent defeat came against Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira back at PRIDE Shockwave 2006.
Daniel Cormier - 10-0 with 4 KO/TKO and 3 Submission finishes. Knocked out Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva in Strikeforce Heavyweight Tournament Semi-finals. World Wrestling Championships Bronze Medalist, 4th place in 2004 Summer Olympics.
Anton Gurevich: Josh Barnett is one of the few old-school Heavyweights still competing at the highest level. Barnett lost via TKO only once (Pedro Rizzo), and was never submitted in his Mixed Martial Arts career. Daniel Cormier might have a slight advantage in stand-up, but he lacks the depth and experience Josh Barnett has on the ground. It’s safe to assume that Cormier will use his exceptional wrestling skills to get a takedown against Barnett, but that’s exactly where “The Warmaster” wants to be. My prediction is Josh Barnett via Submission in Round 2.
Mike Drahota: The Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix is coming to its long-awaited conclusion, and while it's not Alistair Overeem vs. Fedor Emeliankenko, this is a very intriguing fight. A classic battle of seasoned veteran facing an up-and-coming young prospect, both fighters possess excellent wrestling skills. Cormier is undefeated, and impressed with his TKO of Antonio Silva in the semifinals. However, Barnett has tons of experience and tricks up his sleeve. We have not seen Cormier put in any awkward situations as of yet, and Barnett has the tools to do just that. I like Josh Barnett via Submission in Round 2 as well.
Evan Holober: This is a battle of new talent vs. a guy who has been competing since the mid '90s. Barnett has always had trouble with guys he couldn't (or in some cases would not) take down. I don't see any difference here. Daniel Cormier has an argument for best wrestling in MMA, let alone best in the HW division. His stature will also make it tougher for the former "baby-faced assassin" to get the fight to the ground which I think that's what Barnett will have to do to come away with the victory. Cormier's striking has grown immensely in his short time fighting, and I think that coupled with his speed advantage will be Josh's undoing. Daniel Cormier by TKO 3.
Bryan Fontez: Finally!! We get to wrap this up and see who the winner of this tournament is! Based on experience alone, I'd normally pick someone like Barnett to win against most Heavyweights via Submission or Unanimous Decision, but due to the sheer athleticism, speed, power and elite/olympic-level wrestling of his opponent, I'm actually going to give this one to Cormier. I think his wrestling skills and lower center of gravity will negate any possibility of Josh taking him down, and although Josh Barnett is no slouch on the feet, I truly believe Cormier has the superior hand speed and power to either lay him out clean, or rock'em and finish him off on the ground via strikes. This finishes quick, this finishes early... Daniel Cormier via TKO Round 2
Daniel Cassidy: Despite his age and holding a flawless pro record, AKA product Daniel Cormier is still a relative new comer. With Barnett playing perfectly as the veteran, here he holds his biggest advantage, along with his submission skills. While Cormier has heavy hands, Barnett won't want to stand too long, and using his catch wrestling, should be able to get it to the matt. I see Barnett winning via R1 submission.
Comments
Oh this is going to be fun!
I forgot this was still happening...good match though
Very hard to decide upon this one, both guys SEEM to be pretty equal in almost every area except the submission game and I think that is going to be the difference.
War Master by 2n rnd sub.
Agree, Josh has a very goood submission game and that will make the difference if the fight goes to the ground.
I gotta go with DC on this, by tko or decision. I just think that he is the stronger of the two. If he can keep it standing, then I see him winning. Jeff it's hard to stop after he gets the mount.
Barnett via decision.
I'm surprised at the picks for an early finish. I agree I think it will be close early on but once both guys get tired I think Barnett's experience will see him through to a decision.
I like Cormier, and I was pretty disaponted by Barnett, you know why, but as a long time mma fan, I would like to see an old school fighter win.
since when has barnett been competing at a high level? he has 2 notable wins on his record and neither have come within the last 5 years...hes just another hyped up fighter like palhares that will be exposed Saturday
I'm going with Anton's pick on this one, or round 1
Mike Drahota the finals couldnt have been Fedor vs Overeem anyways because they were in the same bracket. Most people predicted from the start that it would be Fedor vs Barnett in the finals. Well we got half of that right.
Wow, that's embarrassing for Mike Drahota! LOL.
Most people predicted it was going to be Overeem-Barnett in the finals.
Daniel Cormier will K.O the steroid junkie Barnett out cold... And it will happen in round 1...... So stop dreaming to see a ground fight, and looking for a way to give Barnett a chance... Theirs no way Barnett can take down the Olympic wrestler Cormier to the mat.. So his f@cked.
War Daniel..
This should be an easy fight for Josh. He is better in all but one element in MMA (wrestling) . Josh should be a clear bet.
He's better in stiking? Says who, the 38 year old Rizzo?
Says Sergei. Please let me know why DC is the better striker. He got to Big Foot? DC might be the more "powerful" striker, but overall, Warmaster has the advantage.
This fight has me torn. DC appears to have the striking advantage, but then again Josh will be using more footwork and head movement than Bigfoot and Monson did. It seems pretty cut and dry though, if Josh can't get top position, his chances are not good. I think speed will be the factor, and unless the standup is close and DC tries to mix in takedowns and gets swept or leglocked, I think he takes the UD.
He took Sergei down and submitted him. There was very little to no striking involved in the bout. That's like using his fight with Mighty Mo as a measuring point.
Big Foot is a guy who just out-struck Fedor and Arlovski, and Cormier put the stamp on him with ease.
Overall Daniel Cormier is the faster, more powerful striker. It really isn't even that close.
The fight against Big Foot lasted like 3 minutes, he got caught early, these things happen in MMA. I believe BF just underestimated DC. Before Josh took Sergei down he landed some beautiful shots and had Sergei stunned, hence the easy take-down. Josh might not be as athletic as DC but experience and skill is lopsided towards Josh. Pure athleticism doesn't win fights, ask Melvin.