Finally the long awaited Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Final will get underway this Saturday, May 19th at 10 PM ET/PT. This sold out event, also known as Strikeforce 40, is taking place in San Jose, California from the HP Pavilion. This marks the 60th Strikeforce event and as Strikeforce hasn’t listed any future events, this may be their last. It’s very possible that this MMA promotion that is owned by Zuffa might shortly fully merge with the UFC just like WEC and PRIDE did.
What makes this matchup very exciting is that Daniel Cormier (9-0) is undefeated while Josh Barnett (31-5) is on an 8 win streak. Barnett has 17 wins by submission, 9 via KO and 4 by decision while Cormier has 4 wins by KO, 3 via submission and 2 by decision. This is an interesting matchup because Josh tends to use his wrestling skills to take people down and work for a submission win or KO via ground and pound. Daniel on the other hand uses his boxing skills to work for a KO victory via ground and pound after knocking down his opponent.
An obvious major factor that may determine the outcome of this match is the fighters wrestling skills. Barnett, Black Belt in BJJ, is much more skilled on the ground so if he can take down Cormier than the fight is almost over. Daniel Cormier is a former Olympic wrestler while Josh Barnett has a huge pro wrestling background. Barnett averages around 1 take down a fight and when he is able to take an opponent down he usually is able to finish the fight. But Daniel has never been taken down in any of his 6 Strikeforce events and has very good takedown defense.
These fighters’ skills balance each other out; Barnett is the better ground fighter while Cormier is the more dangerous stand up striker. This is partially why the BetDSI Sportsbook UFC betting odds are so close, check them out:
DANIEL CORMIER -110
JOSH BARNETT -120
Barnett should be most people’s betting favorite because he is the more all around fighter and he posses good striking skills coupled by excellent submission skills. He is also the former UFC Heavyweight champ and has a lot more MMA experience.
Strikeforce Grand Prix Betting Pick: I give Barnett the slight edge to win this fight.
