MMA fans around the world are waiting to watch the semi-finals of Strikeforce’s heavy weight tournament. Showtime air’s the Main Card fights at 10:30 pm ET. The Preliminary bouts can be viewed on HDnet fights. Hosting the event is the U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio
The Main Fight Card
Josh Barnett vs. Sergei Kharitonov (heavy weight semi-final)
Antonio Silva vs. Daniel Cormier (heavy weight semi-final)
Ronaldo Souza vs. Luke Rockhold (middle weight title fight)
Mo Lawal vs. Roger Gracie
Pat Healy vs. Maximo Blanco
Josh Barnett vs. Sergei Kharitonov
Barnett has a record of 30-5. Seven of his wins are by (T)KO’s, and 18 wins are from submissions. He has fought in PRIDE, DREAM, AFFLICTION, and the UFC. Barnett has wins over Randy Couture, Antonia Rodrigo Nogueira, and Jeff Monson. His experience in Mixed Martial Arts dates back to the year 1997.
Kharitonov’s record is 18-4. He has nine (T)KO’s, and eight submissions. Kharitonov has fought in K-1, PRIDE, and DREAM. He has victories over Andrei Arlovski, and Fabricio Werdum.
A possible advantage for Barnett is that he has wins over Jeff Monson, and Aleksander Emelianenko. Kharitonov has lost to both of those fighters.
Author prediction: Barnett wins by submission.
Antonio Silva vs. Daniel Cormier
Cormier brings an undefeated record of 8-0 to the fight. Three of his wins come from (T)KO’s, and three are by submissions. He has fought in Strikeforce, and King of the Cage. His recent victories also include Jeff Monson, and Devin Cole. Cormier is a member of American Kickboxing Academy.
Silva has a record of 16-2. He has 11 victories from (T)KO’s, and Three wins are from submissions. This Brazilian has fought in K-1, and EliteXC. His winning resume has the names Fedor Emelianenko, and Andrei Arlovski on it.
Author prediction: Silva by TKO
Ronaldo Souza vs. Luke Rockhold
Champion Ronaldo Souza is 14-2 with one no contest. He has never knocked an opponent out, but has 11 submission victories to his name. Souza is also from Brazil. He has fought in DREAM, and started his career in Brazil’s Jungle Fight organization. He has wins over Robbie Lawler, Tim Kennedy, and Matt Lindland. The no contest was against Jason “Mayhem” Miller where he was cut from an illegal up kick.
Rockhold’s record is 7-1. He only has one (T)KO, and six submissions. Most of Rockhold’s professional career has been under the Strikeforce banner. His notable wins are over Paul Bradly, and Cory Devela.
Both of these fighter’s victories come mostly by way of submission, this should be a clinical Jujitsu showdown.
Author Prediction: Souza wins by submission
Mo Lawal vs. Roger Gracie
Lawal is 7-1 with five (T)KO’s, and zero submissions. He has formally fought in M1 Global. After a year long break due to injury, he is ready to return to the cage.
Gracie is undefeated at 4-0. In fashionable Gracie style, all four wins come from submissions. His professional debut was in 2006 for Bodog Fight. He is not a very active MMA fighter. His last fight was in January 2011 against Trevor Prangley. Gracie won by Rear Naked Choke.
Author Prediction: Gracie wins by submission
Pat Healy vs. Maximo Blanco
Healy has a professional record of 25-16. Six wins come from (T)KO’s, and 13 wins are from submissions. Healy is a 10 year Mixed Martial Arts veteran that has fought in the WEC, IFL, and the UFC. He has wins over Dan Hardy, Carlos Condit, and Lyle Beerbohm.
Blanco’s record is 8-2. He has seven wins by (T)KO’s, and one by submission. Blanco is a newcomer to Strikeforce, and has yet to go the distance in any of his fights.
Author Predictions: Healy wins by decision
Source
Darrell Pacansky - A MBA student from Trident University, who currently works in Marketing for one of the largest Chiropractic offices in the state of ...
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