Strikeforce Results: Predicting the Remainder of the Heavyweight Grand Prix

With Alistair Overeem and Josh Barnett picking up victories at Strikeforce: Dallas, the semifinal matchups of the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix are now set. Overeem will meet rising heavyweight Antonio Silva, and Barnett will meet dangerous striker Sergei Kharitonov.

The date for these semifinal fights has not yet been confirmed, but the bouts will take place before the end of 2011. With the matchups already determined, though, here are some early predictions for how the rest of the tournament will play out.

Alistair Overeem vs. Antonio Silva

After a fairly easy, yet unspectacular victory over Fabricio Werdum, Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion Alistair Overeem will now meet Antonio Silva in the semifinals of the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix.

Having suffered his most recent loss against Werdum, Silva will likely be a significant underdog against Overeem. However, this does not mean Overeem should take Silva lightly.

Silva poses some of the same threats to Overeem on the ground as Werdum did, but Silva's size makes him much more capable of actually taking Overeem down.

Still, Overeem showed excellent takedown defense against Werdum, and his striking is on a whole other level than Silva's. Considering Silva was nearly finished by Mike Kyle, don't expect Overeem to need to keep this fight standing very long in order to put Silva away.

Overeem defeats Silva by technical knockout in the first round.

Josh Barnett vs. Sergei Kharitonov

Josh Barnett's dominant victory over Brett Rogers at Strikeforce: Dallas has earned him a semifinal meeting with Sergei Kharitonov. 

Kharitonov is a well-rounded fighter, but Barnett will have a clear advantage on the ground. Kharitonov will have the edge in striking, but Barnett has only been knocked out once in 35 career fights.

Eventually, Barnett is going to get this fight to the ground and that will undoubtedly spell trouble for Kharitonov. Seeing as Kharitonov was a recent victim of Jeff Monson's north-south choke, Barnett should not have a ton of trouble disposing of the Russian on the ground.

Barnett defeats Kharitonov by submission in the first round.

Alistair Overeem vs. Josh Barnett

Like the matchup between Alistair Overeem and Fabricio Werdum, this potential fight would pit a grappling-focused fighter against Overeem. However, Josh Barnett would not be nearly as desperate to take Overeem to the ground as Werdum was.

While Barnett's confidence in his overall game may make for a more exciting fight, it could also lead to a devastating finish for Overeem.

Overeem is a much more talented fighter than he was able to display in his fight against Werdum. Expect him to prove that in his final two fights in this tournament.

Overeem defeats Barnett by knockout in the second round.

Sean Smith is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA. For the latest insight and updates on everything MMA, you can follow Sean on Twitter here.