May 19, 2012
HP Pavilion
San Jose, California
Main Card (Showtime):
Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Finals
Josh Barnett (31-5) vs. Daniel Cormier (9-0) "Come you masters of war, You that build all the guns, You that build the death planes, You that build all the bombs." Though the lyrics sing anti-war later, the "Warmaster" of today has come, bringing his myriad of weapons, to claim his rightful place among the Heavyweight elite of MMA, and his one shot at a return to the UFC where he left so many years ago as their Champion. Barnett has built a career around well rounded fights and embarrassing people on the mat as he meets the undefeated, heavy handed, "Black Emperor" who has risen into recent prominence against a glass chinned giant. It is just Barnett's time once again to shine and not drop the ball as he has done so many times in his troubled career. Whether Dana White likes it or not, Josh is going to win his way back into the UFC doing what the fabled and beloved Fedor could not. Dan has a great future in MMA and should also find his way to the UFC perhaps before Josh who will defend his title(?) one time after this bout before the Heavyweights officially bow out of Strikeforce.
Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Finals
Josh Barnett (31-5) vs. Daniel Cormier (9-0) "Come you masters of war, You that build all the guns, You that build the death planes, You that build all the bombs." Though the lyrics sing anti-war later, the "Warmaster" of today has come, bringing his myriad of weapons, to claim his rightful place among the Heavyweight elite of MMA, and his one shot at a return to the UFC where he left so many years ago as their Champion. Barnett has built a career around well rounded fights and embarrassing people on the mat as he meets the undefeated, heavy handed, "Black Emperor" who has risen into recent prominence against a glass chinned giant. It is just Barnett's time once again to shine and not drop the ball as he has done so many times in his troubled career. Whether Dana White likes it or not, Josh is going to win his way back into the UFC doing what the fabled and beloved Fedor could not. Dan has a great future in MMA and should also find his way to the UFC perhaps before Josh who will defend his title(?) one time after this bout before the Heavyweights officially bow out of Strikeforce.
WINNER-Josh Barnett by Rd.3 Submission
Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez (20-2) vs. Josh Thomson (19-4) 3 The "Rubber Match" nobody wanted to see is finally here. Jeezus we can't find anyone interesting for "El Nino" to fight. So, we have the "Punk" yet again with questions about his notorious health again, coming in off a lackluster win over the lackluster KJ Noons. Provided Gil doesn't have a complete collapse he runs roughshod over Josh showing he is one of if not the best Lightweight in the world while Thomson has seen better days and goes on to be the gatekeeper of the gatekeepers.
WINNER-Gilbert Melendez by Rd.4 TKO
Rafael Cavalcante (11-3) vs. Mike Kyle (19-8) 2 [Rematch] "Feijao" lost the last time around getting caught by the heavy handed "Mak" in 2009. Mistakes were made but the Blackhouse fighter has continued to improve while Kyle still needs that lucky punch, which he does tend to land, but has little game anywhere else. Percentages say Rafael has more tools and most rematches favor a new winner.
WINNER-Rafael Cavalcante by Decision
Nah-Shon Burrell (8-1) vs. Chris Spang (4-1) Besides a more kick ass name, Nah-Shon is a better striker among strikers here and continues to improve while maybe not as quickly as one would hope.
WINNER-Nah-Shon Burrell by Decision
Prelims (Showtime Extreme):
Gesias Cavalcante (16-4-1) vs. Isaac Vallie-Flagg (12-3-1) Remember when "JZ" was good? I do. Waaay back in '07 "JZ" was becoming the free agent de jur in the 155 class before a plethora of injuries and just dismal performances killed his career. Now stuck in purgatory he has gone 1-1-1 finally winning last out by Split-Decision. "JZ" has redoubled his efforts with the Blackzilians and now faces a Jackson/Winkeljohn product on a 9 fight winning streak. You know Flagg will have a smart game plan in place but if there is anything left of Gesias he should win a shutout decision at the least. Cavalcante is a better striker and grappler and needs this win lest he heads to the minor leagues to slowly fade away forever. Its a sad fate "JZ" is not ready for and the new "JZ" debuts here showcasing his new training and hopefully glimpses of the old killer inside.
WINNER-Gesias Cavalcante by Rd.3 Submission
Virgil Zwicker (10-2) vs. Carlos Augusto Filho (5-0) "Guto Inocente" as I completely dismiss the Team Quest guy.
WINNER-Carlos Augusto Filho by Rd.1 TKO
Gian Villante (9-3) vs. Derrick Mehmen (12-4) Gian has rebounded a bit after starting out with a lot of promise and should cruise against the "Caveman" who is looking to survive till the final bell.
WINNER-Gian Villante by Decision
Quinn Mulhern (17-2) vs. Yuri Villefort (6-0) Villefort has joined the Blackzilians to up his game in this fight of two promising up and coming Welterweights. Yuri has been gone for a couple of years but I still feel his Jiu-Jitsu will win the day and the tapout.
WINNER-Yuri Villefort by Rd.1 Submission
James Terry (11-4) vs. Bobby Green (17-5) I don't think a lot of either guy but if you want conservative you go Terry while if you want flashy you go Green. I'm flipping a disinterested coin.
WINNER-Bobby Green by Decision
Gesias Cavalcante (16-4-1) vs. Isaac Vallie-Flagg (12-3-1) Remember when "JZ" was good? I do. Waaay back in '07 "JZ" was becoming the free agent de jur in the 155 class before a plethora of injuries and just dismal performances killed his career. Now stuck in purgatory he has gone 1-1-1 finally winning last out by Split-Decision. "JZ" has redoubled his efforts with the Blackzilians and now faces a Jackson/Winkeljohn product on a 9 fight winning streak. You know Flagg will have a smart game plan in place but if there is anything left of Gesias he should win a shutout decision at the least. Cavalcante is a better striker and grappler and needs this win lest he heads to the minor leagues to slowly fade away forever. Its a sad fate "JZ" is not ready for and the new "JZ" debuts here showcasing his new training and hopefully glimpses of the old killer inside.
WINNER-Gesias Cavalcante by Rd.3 Submission
Virgil Zwicker (10-2) vs. Carlos Augusto Filho (5-0) "Guto Inocente" as I completely dismiss the Team Quest guy.
WINNER-Carlos Augusto Filho by Rd.1 TKO
Gian Villante (9-3) vs. Derrick Mehmen (12-4) Gian has rebounded a bit after starting out with a lot of promise and should cruise against the "Caveman" who is looking to survive till the final bell.
WINNER-Gian Villante by Decision
Quinn Mulhern (17-2) vs. Yuri Villefort (6-0) Villefort has joined the Blackzilians to up his game in this fight of two promising up and coming Welterweights. Yuri has been gone for a couple of years but I still feel his Jiu-Jitsu will win the day and the tapout.
WINNER-Yuri Villefort by Rd.1 Submission
James Terry (11-4) vs. Bobby Green (17-5) I don't think a lot of either guy but if you want conservative you go Terry while if you want flashy you go Green. I'm flipping a disinterested coin.
WINNER-Bobby Green by Decision
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