Strikeforce Results: Questions Answered and Lessons Learned

The dust has settled at Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Kharitonov, as Josh Barnett easily submitted Sergei Kharitonov and Daniel Cormier battered the larger Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva.

There is not a better fight to conclude the tournament than Josh Barnett vs. Daniel Cormier.

Aside from the results of the eagerly anticipated heavyweight semifinals round of the grand prix, there were other important happenings at the event—questions were answered and lessons were learned.

What were these answers and lessons? Read on and find out!

Alexis Davis Is No Joke/The Women's Divisions Are Deeper Than We Think

Alexis Davis managed do defeat a very tough competitor in Amanda Nunes, proving that the Canadian standout is quite skilled.

The women's divisions in Strikeforce are deeper than we think, as are the women's divisions as a whole; there is always an Alexis Davis or even an Amanda Nunes out there waiting to be given a chance.

When Alexis Davis is added into the pool of other female fighters, it can be seen that, while the talent pool is by no means large, it's much bigger than it's been in the past and only enlarging.

Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante Is Back

Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante managed to knockout the very accomplished wrestler Yoel Romero Palacio.

Cavalcante hasn't yet proven that he's ready for the top again, but he's proven that he's not wilted as a fighter.

Prospects from Japan Are Overrated

This lesson is nothing new as people are finally starting to come around but it has been reinforced by Maximo Blanco's loss to Pat Healy. A champion from a Japanese organization who was highly touted by many was submitted by a mere journeyman on the American circuit.

Even though Blanco looked impressive in the first round, he gassed and lost the fight. He could have a bright future, but he'll need to train harder and fighter better competition.

 

The Gracies Are Done in MMA

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It was often said that Roger Gracie was the last great fighter of the Gracie family; he was their last hope at relevance in modern MMA.

Unfortunately for the famous MMA clan, Roger Gracie's body was left starched on the canvas thanks to a lethal combination from Muhammad "King Mo" Lawal.

One fell swoop of Lawal's right hand ended generations of Gracie family history. Without Roger, the Gracies have no other fighter to parade around as their savior; the Gracie legacy is over. How sad that the importance of the once most dominant family in MMA ends at a B-level event at the hands of an above-average fighter at best.

 

Luke Rockhold Is the Real Deal

When it was announced that Luke Rockhold, a guy with less than 10 MMA fights, was taking on Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza, many were justifiably doubtful of the American's chances.

"Souza is one of the most accomplished submission grapplers in the world, Rockhold is just an unpolished prospect," the common line of thought went.

However, Rockhold proved the critics (which, I'll admit, included myself) wrong and took the Strikeforce middleweight title away from Souza—Rockhold is the real deal!

Daniel Cormier Is a Monster

Daniel Cormier is a monster heavyweight, period. The Olympic caliber wrestler made short work over a very skilled, physically strong opponent in Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva.

Cormier took the bigger man to the ground several times and peppered the Brazilian with punches until the fight was eventually stopped. He made "Bigfoot" look like an amateur, something even the mighty Fedor Emelianenko couldn't do.

With his lethal combination of Olympic-caliber wrestling and burgeoning striking, Cormier is swift becoming one of the top heavyweights in the world.

Barnett Is Skilled, but One Dimensional

Josh Barnett's victory over Sergei Kharitonov, while impressive, didn't really answer any looming questions about Barnett but it did teach us a lesson: Barnett is relatively one dimensional and this may severely hurt him in the tournament finals.

How?

Josh Barnett will have almost no chance in taking down the highly superior wrestler, Daniel Cormier, in the finals. If Barnett had great striking, this wouldn't be an issue, but his striking is below Cormier's level.

Thus, it's probable that Barnett's devotion to catch-as-catch-can wrestling and only this style will ultimately be his undoing.