With Overeem out of the tournament, opportunity knocks for Cormier. Cormier has been highly-touted as one of the few heavyweight prospects who has the skills and impressive resume to make a run at becoming relevant in the upper-echelon of the weight class. Unfortunately, he doesn't have the experience in mixed martial arts to merit that sort of confidence against a mammoth like Antonio Silva. There is a first time for everything however.
Silva recently came into fame after crushing Fedor Emelianenko back in February. He had previously defeated an undersized Mike Kyle in December, and he out pointed former UFC champion Andrei Arlovski on the scorecards last May. His monumental win over Emelianenko may have confirmed the former PRIDE champion's downfall, but it could serve as the beginning of an ascension to bigger feats for 'Bigfoot'.
If visuals were everything, Antonio Silva would be your winner. His 6'4" frame and gigantic 265 lb. muscled physique would give the perception that a beating of epic proportions was about to unfold. As we all know, visuals don't mean anything in this sport. Refined technique and a little bit of luck can go a long way to squelching that perception.
Silva is by no means deficient in his skills. He's a solid Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu artist, and he continues to improve on the feet. His size is a huge advantage from the top, but it can slow him down in the stand-up department. Cormier isn't a dynamic striker by any stretch of the imagination. He does, however, have the power and speed to put punches past Silva's defenses. If he can do that, we have an upset in the making.
I think that's wishful thinking on my part however. We're talking about an Olympic caliber wrestler who has years of experience grinding out opponents on the mat. Silva might be big, strong, and honed in the arts of grappling, but Cormier is no Spring chicken. He's faced bigger and badder before, and he's succeeded. Tough to call how he wins, but I think he wins regardless. Cormier via decision.
SBN coverage of Strikeforce Grand Prix: Barnett vs. Kharitonov
Poll Daniel Cormier vs. Antonio Silva
- Antonio Silva
- Daniel Cormier