Strikeforce: Power Ranking Every Fight on the Card

Strikeforce returns this weekend with the finale to its heavyweight tournament. Headlining the card will be Josh Barnett and Daniel Cormier, who represent the old school and new school of the sport.

Also on the card will be a lightweight championship bout that sees Gilbert Melendez, the champion, take on Josh Thomson in a rubber match.

The card is full of up-and-coming talent from top to bottom. Here is a power ranking of every fight on the card.

Gian Villante vs. Derrick Mehmen

On the preliminary card, we get your basic Strikeforce undercard bout when Gian Villante looks to extend his winning streak against one-time Strikeforce veteran Derrick Mehmen.

This fight does not do much for me, but it will be a great indication if Gian Villante belongs or not. Villante has beaten some smaller names in Strikeforce after faltering to bigger names such as Chad Griggs and Lorenz Larkin. At 9-3, Villante has gotten six of his wins by knockout, which he will likely be looking for in this fight.

Derrick Mehmen is another guy who has only faltered to bigger-name fighters. At 12-4, his only losses come to UFC veterans Rodney Wallace, Dave Branch and Mike Ciesnolevicz, as well as Gareth Joseph. Mehmen also has knockout power, so although this is at the bottom of the power rankings, it could turn out to be a good fight.

In the end, I see Villante walking away with a win here, most likely by decision or late knockout.  

Nah-Shon Burrell vs. Chris Spang

The first fight on the main card features Nah-Shon Burrell, the holder of MMA's worst first name, taking on Chris Spang, brother of Bellator hothead Andreas Spang. How this fight made the main card over several other preliminary bouts is beyond me.

Chris Spang is relatively young in his MMA career, holding a 4-1 record. Despite that, this will be his third fight in Strikeforce, which is a credit to him. He will need to avoid the power strikes of Burrell, should he want to walk out of the cage fully conscious. 

Nah-Shon Burrell is an intriguing prospect who is making his fourth career appearance in Strikeforce. In his latest outing, he upset Strikeforce mainstay James Terry en route to a split decision. Burrell has the ability to end fights with one strike, which he will be looking to do here.

The result of the fight will be a knockout win for Nah-Shon Burrell.

Virgil Zwicker vs. Guto Inocente

In an intriguing undercard bout, Virgil Zwicker meets newcomer Guto Inocente. Inocente comes in as an undefeated prospect looking to make a name off Zwicker in his Strikeforce debut.

Guto Inocente is 5-0, finishing all of his fights by knockout or submission. This will be his first fight outside of Brazil, which may add some pressure to the young Brazilian. He looks to be a legitimate prospect, so it will be interesting to watch and see what the young fighter can do.

Virgil Zwicker is a Strikeforce veteran looking to build off a win in his latest outing. Zwicker is a knockout machine, putting seven of his 10 conquered victims to sleep. He is a powerful guy, who is moving down from heavyweight to meet the incoming Inocente.

Look for nerves to play a factor in Inocente's debut, as Zwicker wins the fight on the judge's scorecards.

Quinn Mulhern vs. Yuri Villefort

Yuri Villefort and Quinn Mulhern meet in an interesting matchup in the welterweight division. Mulhern is a submission machine, but he is meeting a well-rounded Brazilian who has never tasted defeat.

Quinn Mulhern is 17-2 in his career, submitting 11 opponents in his path. He is dangerous whether he is fighting on top or off his back. After dropping his Strikeforce debut to Jason High, he has surged back with two straight wins. 

At 6-0, Yuri Villefort has proven to be a dangerous adversary. He will be making his Strikforce debut, which may get to his nerves, but he will have the backing of his brother, Danillo Villefort. Yuri is very well-rounded, so he will be able to compete with Mulhern, whether the fight is standing up or on the ground.

Look for Yuri Villefort to connect with a haymaker, effectively ending Quinn Mulhern's night.

Gesias Cavalcante vs. Isaac Vallie-Flagg

Big fight veteran Gesias Cavalcante returns to the cage to meet up with Greg Jackson disciple Isaac Vallie-Flagg in a fantastic lightweight bout.

Gesias Cavalcante, known as JZ, has fought all over the world in his career. At 16-4, Cavalcante is extremely well-rounded, but his submissions are his most dangerous tool. He is coming off a close split decision in his latest outing against Bobby Green. He will need to bring his best if he wishes to beat Vallie-Flagg in this bout.

Isaac Vallie-Flagg is 12-3 thus far in his career and hasn't lost since 2007. The Jackson MMA fighter makes his return to Strikeforce, which in saw him win his debut in his last fight by split decision over Brian Melancon. Vallie-Flagg is also very well-rounded and will have the benefit of a solid gameplan by the mastermind himself, Greg Jackson.

Cavalcante's experience and skill will persevere here, earning him a submission victory in an exciting affair.

Bobby Green vs. James Terry

The best fight on the preliminary card is the one that leads off the entire card, as Bobby Green meets up with James Terry. Both men are tough as nails and love to fight.

James Terry is looking to right the ship since his latest outing, which saw him drop a decision to Nah-Shon Burrell. The striker will be looking to keep the fight on the feet, as that is his best chance to win. He has the ability to knock fighters out in an instant.

Bobby Green is a skilled ground fighter, despite the fact he only holds a blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Of his 17 wins, he has finished 15 fights by knockout or submission. Green is a proven finisher with a mean streak. He will want to get the fight to the mat if he wishes to knock off Terry.

In my upset pick of the night, I see Bobby Green submitting James Terry in the second round.

Gilbert Melendez vs. Josh Thomson

In a rubber match for the Strikeforce lightweight title, Gilbert Melendez meets Josh Thomson to settle their best-of-three series.

Thomson won their first encounter in 2008, taking the fight via unanimous decision. He is the last man to have beaten Melendez.

Since then, Melendez beat Thomson in a rematch in 2009, also winning the fight by unanimous decision. This makes this rubber match especially interesting, as a finish is not expected after the first two fights.

Either way, Melendez has been on tear lately, beating such opponents as Jorge Masvidal, Tatsuya Kawajiri and Shinya Aoki. He is considered one of the best lightweights in the world, and a win here would definitely prove that.

Thomson is coming off a big win over KJ Noons, which has earned him this shot at the title. Thomson has finished 13 of his wins, proving that he is a finisher.

In the end, Melendez is too good to lose here. He will clinch the rubber match with a decision victory, but he'll remain in Strikeforce purgatory. 

Rafael Cavalcante vs. Mike Kyle

Rafael Cavalcante looks for some revenge in this next fight, as he will look to avenge a devastating knockout loss to Mike Kyle from earlier in his career. 

Both men are good strikers. While Cavalcante is a technical power striker, Kyle is a brawler with sickening power in his hands. This is a great style matchup that will lead to a fan-friendly affair.

Kyle is a big light heavyweight, which will give him an advantage in this fight. In his two most recent losses, Kyle has lost to heavyweights in Antonio Silva and Fabricio Werdum. He will be looking to knock Cavalcante's head off.

Cavalcante is one of the best light heavyweights not currently in the UFC. His motivation for this fight is to erase the loss he experienced to Kyle already back in 2009. Cavalcante is a former champion in Strikeforce, which has exemplified his growth as a mixed martial artist.

I see Cavalcante gaining revenge by knockout, possibly leaving an opening for a rubber match in the future.

Daniel Cormier vs. Josh Barnett

The Strikeforce heavyweight tournament finally comes to an end, as Josh Barnett and Daniel Cormier look to take the prestigious title home. 

Barnett has effortlessly run through the tournament, beating Brett Rogers and Sergei Kharitonov by arm-triangle choke. Barnett is a long-time veteran of the sport, holding a record of 31-5. He is a master of submissions, having won 19 times by tapout. 

Cormier is a powerhouse wrestler who has developed his striking nicely. He will need to avoid getting into a ground battle with "The Warmaster," who possesses great submissions. Cormier would be best served to continue to showcase his striking, which saw him manhandle Antonio Silva in the semifinals.

This is a close fight in which I am having trouble choosing the outcome. Therefore, leave your comments below and let me know who you think will win.