Strikeforce Results: Junior Dos Santos vs. Daniel Cormier Head-to-Toe Breakdown

Daniel Cormier emphatically staked his claim as a top tier heavyweight with his big win over Josh Barnett last night.

Showing an impressive range of skills both standing and on the ground, Cormier took the unanimous decision to win the world grand prix finale.

Now that the tournament is over, Cormier likely has one final bout left in Strikeforce before they dissolve their heavyweight division, which may mean a jump to the UFC for the grand prix winner.

One opponent the tournament champion could face is the consensus top heavyweight in the world, UFC champion Junior Dos Santos.

Here's the head-to-toe breakdown of this potential future bout.

Striking

A former Olympic wrestler, Cormier surprised fans with his much improved striking when he entered the tournament after Alistair Overeem dropped out..

Taking on Antonio Silva in the semi-finals, Cormier decimated his much taller foe by knocking him out in the first round.  Againt Barnett, Cormier went toe-to-toe with the MMA veteran and was able to control the bout standing in the later rounds.

However, Dos Santos is a world-class striker with great boxing.  With 10 of his 14 wins coming via KO, Cigano has the power to floor anyone as the likes of Cain Velasquez and Fabricio Werdum have already crumbled under his heavy-hands.

Advantage: Dos Santos

Wrestling

Cormier is clearly one of the elite wrestlers in the game today.

Owning wrestling accolades that span from the high school to the Olympic level, Cormier is a life-long practitioner of the art with few who can rival his skills.

Dos Santos has great take down defense, but Cormier is better at all aspects of the discipline.

Advantage: Cormier

Submissions

If you don't include submissions to punches or injury, both men combine for only two tap out wins in their careers.

While little has been seen of their submission games, Dos Santos gets a slight edge because of his work with veteran BJJ black belts like Minotauro Nogueira and Anderson Silva.

Advantage: Dos Santos

Strength

Both men are powerful heavyweights with the ability to dictate the fight using their strength.

Cormier's explosive take downs and clinch control was on display last night as he threw Barnett around the cage.

Dos Santos is also quite powerful as his heavy hands and massive frame can attest to.

These guys are virtually even in this area.

Advantage: Even

Cardio

While both men prefer to end their fights in the first round, neither is a stranger to the later rounds.

Dos Santos showed he can go the distance with his bouts against Shane Carwin and Roy Nelson.  Cigano was able to keep up the pace in all three rounds to put a beating on both men.

Cormier has also shown that he has the cardio of a champ, going all five rounds against Barnett.

Advantage: Even

Variables

Cormier: If the newly minted grand prix winner does eventually face the UFC champ, he'll have to watch out for Dos Santos' striking and fight on the inside.

Like his fight with Barnett, Cormier has to get on the inside and attack the body from the clinch.  From there he can work for the take down and pound away from the top.

But to beat Dos Santos, Cormier will need the fast footwork in order to get on the inside, a task easier said than done.

Dos Santos: To take out the undefeated heavyweight rising star, Dos Santos will have to utilize his striking advantage from the get go.

Establishing his range with power strikes and staying on the outside is a must.  Cigano will have to watch out for Cormier's take downs and set up big shots with combinations.

Prediction

This potential future fight has all the makings of a great show.

Cormier has the edge in the wrestling department as well as the heavy hands to rough up the champ a bit.

However, Dos Santos' boxing is world class and it will be hard for Cormier to get on the inside to combat Cigano's range.

In the end, it will be the Brazilian's striking that will make the difference in this fight.

Prediction: Dos Santos via TKO (third round).

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