|
|
|
Quick Thoughts on Strikeforce World Heavyweight Grand Prix: Barnett vs. Kharitonov by Tom O'Brien September 3, 2011 
The main card will begin with Pat Healy (NR) vs. Maximo Blanco (NR). The much-traveled Healy (25-16) will attempt to derail the young career of Blanco who is coming off a 6 fight win streak, the last 5 victories of which occurred in Sengoku. With only one year difference in age, it's amazing to see the vast difference in experience between these two. Blanco hasn't fought in nearly 9 months. Layoffs are never good, so we're going with Healy in this one.In what's guaranteed to be a ground contest, "King" Mo Lawal takes on Roger Gracie. Lawal being a wrestler, and Gracie being a Gracie means both will be battling for position on the mat. The Gracie's can't be denied when it comes to BJJ, but we're going with the "King" in this matchup. Submission specialist Luke Rockhold (NR) gets a chance to go against Ronaldo Souza (#3), one of the best submission fighters in MMA. Rockhold is certainly capable of pulling the upset, but if it's a submission vs. submission contest we've got to go with Souza. Alistair Overeem's (#3) exit from the Grand Prix and Strikeforce has presented Daniel Cormier (NR) with a wonderful opportunity. The undefeated Cormier (8-0) will have to use every bit of his Olympic-caliber wrestling skills to control Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva (#4). Silva has been on a roll, winning 9 of his last 10 fights including a Grand Prix Round 1 victory of Fedor Emelianenko. Silva is the much bigger fighter, and that combined with twice as much professional MMA fight experience than Cormier will help "Bigfoot" earn a victory. In the main event of the evening, and second fight in the Grand Prix Tournament Final Four, Josh Barnett (#6) faces Sergei Kharitonov (#12). Both are veterans, and both are world class fighters. Barnett definitely wants the submission, while Kharitonov is a bit more well-rounded in terms of striking vs. submissions. Kharitonov is more of a bloated heavyweight, where Barnett is a natural at this weight class. Josh Barnett is one of the best in the world, and we think he'll prove it once again against Kharitonov. (MMA Quick Hit's Ranking inside fighter's weight class) MMA Quick Hits is loading comments...
|