Daniel Cormier's expeditious climb up the heavyweight ranks has been the stuff of legend.

Less than a year ago, Cormier was a relative unknown stepping up to fight Jeff Monson. Fast forward a couple of fights later, the American Kickboxing Academy prospect now towers over most of the division.

On Saturday night, Cormier routed MMA legend Josh Barnett in an exciting five-round affair to win the Strikeforce World Heavyweight Grand Prix.

It was a bout that served as Cormier's coming out party as an upper-echelon heavyweight contender and legitimate threat to the UFC title.

With the Grand Prix finale likely serving as Strikeforce's swan song of the heavyweight division, a deal coming together between Cormier and the UFC appears imminent.

How would the former Olympian fare against the upper-echelon sharks in the UFC?

At 33 years of age, Cormier still hasn't reached his full potential as a fighter. It's astounding to see the strides he continues to make in his striking with every outing.

Against Barnett, Cormier showed improved footwork and great head movement. A world-class striking game to go along with arguably the best wrestling in the entire division poses a dangerous matchup for every heavyweight on the UFC roster.

With only 10 professional bouts under his belt, Cormier is learning on the fly against world-class opposition.

"DC" is a name fans better get used to hearing.

Thanks to the Strikeforce Grand Prix, the heavyweight division may have found its new star.