Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Kharitonov Preview and Predictions for the Main Card

Although moving along without Alistair Overeem, the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix will continue with its semifinal matchups this Saturday. 

With Overeem's departure to the UFC, Daniel Cormier has stepped in for a fight with Antonio Silva. The winner of that bout will meet the victor of Saturday's main event between Josh Barnett and Sergei Kharitonov.

In what may be the deepest card in Strikeforce history, this event also features a title fight between Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Ronaldo Souza and Luke Rockhold, in addition to a light heavyweight tilt between former Strikeforce Champion Muhammed Lawal and Roger Gracie.

Let's take a closer look at each of the main card fights.

Pat Healy vs. Maximo Blanco

Making his Strikeforce and United States debut, 27-year-old Maximo Blanco has made a name for himself with six straight wins in Japan. The Venezuelan wrestler will be facing a tough test this weekend though, as he takes on fellow ground specialist, Pat Healy.

Healy has gone 3-1 since joining Strikeforce, with his only defeat coming by way of submission against Josh Thomson. Although the Team Quest product has some solid wrestling and jiu-jitsu, it will be tough for him to impose his will on Blanco, who medaled in freestyle wrestling at the 2007 Pan American Games.

If this fight remains standing, as matchups between two grapplers often do, the edge has to go to Blanco again in that arena. Seven of Blanco's eight career wins have come via knockout, so he possesses the power to put Healy away quickly.

Blanco defeats Healy by knockout in the first round.

Muhammed Lawal vs. Roger Gracie

After becoming recognized as one of the best jiu-jitsu practitioners in the world, Roger Gracie is now placing his primary focus on competing in MMA. The 29-year-old has gotten his career off to a 4-0 start, but he will be facing his most dangerous opponent to date in Muhammed Lawal.

In his last appearance, Lawal lost his Strikeforce light heavyweight championship to Rafael Cavalcante in the first loss of his career. An accomplished amateur wrestler, Lawal won't back down from a grappling match with the Gracie family's biggest thing going.

Neither fighter has shown overwhelming striking against top competition. In the end, this fight could simply come down to which fighter is better in their base discipline. While Lawal has an excellent wrestling background, his success doesn't compare with Gracie's success on the mat.

Gracie defeats Lawal by submission in the second round.

Ronaldo Souza vs. Luke Rockhold

Ronaldo Souza and Luke Rockhold are well known for their grappling ability, but both fighters have shown improved striking in recent appearances. Considered one of the best jiu-jitsu practitioners in MMA, Souza has the advantage on the ground, but Rockhold's recent performances would suggest that he has the edge if this fight remains standing.

While Rockhold appears to have a very bright future in MMA, the fact that he is taking a fight with one of the best middleweights in the world after being out of action for more than 18 months means that cage rust could play a factor in this fight.

Despite his abilities on the ground, Rockhold's best chance to dethrone Souza may be to keep this fight standing. Against a fighter of Souza's caliber, that is easier said than done.

Souza defeats Rockhold by unanimous decision.

Antonio Silva vs. Daniel Cormier

After beginning his career with eight straight victories, Daniel Cormier has been given the opportunity to make huge waves in the heavyweight division if he can make the most out of being named Alistair Overeem's replacement in the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix.

Before he can set his sights on winning the tournament, Cormier will have to get past Antonio Silva, who is at the pinnacle of his career after a win over Fedor Emelianenko.

While Silva's size presents a problem, Cormier's world-class wrestling is enough to overcome that disadvantage. Silva holds a black belt in jiu-jitsu, but his grappling ability is not nearly as strong from the bottom position as it is from the top.

Cormier defeats Silva by unanimous decision.

Josh Barnett vs. Sergei Kharitonov

With Alistair Overeem's exit from the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix, Josh Barnett has become a popular choice to win the tournament. In a career that has been bumpy to say the least, Barnett could be two wins away from earning the UFC's interest in him back.

A K-1 competitor, Sergei Kharitonov's striking is on par with some of the best in the world. That being said, it won't be easy for Kharitonov to keep this fight standing against a grappler of Barnett's ability.

Kharitonov isn't incapable of putting up a fight off of his back, but it is hard to imagine the Russian being able to overcome this bad stylistic matchup in front of him.

Barnett defeats Kharitonov by submission in the third round.

 

Sean Smith is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA. Sean has also had his work featured on UFC.com and LowKick.com. For the latest insight and updates on everything MMA, you can follow Sean on Twitter @SeanSmithMMA.