Strikeforce Heavyweights: Who Will Be the New Faces in the UFC?

When Strikeforce announced its heavyweight grand prix, fans were salivating at the mouth in anticipation of some potential matchups.

The excitement undoubtedly helped re-energize the heavyweight division in MMA, but that level of excitement has tailed off considerably for the heavyweights in Strikeforce.

With the announcement of the Strikeforce's heavyweights folding into the UFC, the heavyweight division will be seeing some new faces competing for spots in the UFC.

Here are some new faces and new places the fighters will likely find themselves in the UFC rankings.

The Pink Slip: Bryan Humes

Bryan Humes' last fight was against another prospect, Gabriel Salinas-Jones, at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson in July.

He was submitted with a D'Arce choke and previously lost a unanimous decision against Paul Buentello.

After two straight losses, Humes will be lucky to get a shot in the UFC and will definitely need a win to keep his job.

The Bigfoot Contender: Antonio Silva

Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva is coming off a surprising loss to tournament finalist Daniel Cormier. The loss was Silva's first since a 2009 bout against Fabricio Werdum.

Silva will likely be inserted into the middle of the pack as far as rankings go in the UFC. He had impressive wins over Fedor Emelianenko, Andrei Arlovski and Mike Kyle before losing to Cormier.

Bigfoot's ground game is good enough to give anyone trouble, as he's not only a skilled jiu-jitsu practitioner, but his massive frame only increases his grappling skills.

The Ambassador: Herschel Walker

Herschel Walker isn't likely to get a fight once the heavyweight division crosses over.

But the UFC could always use a big name to sell tickets, and Walker provides just that. He'd be great on a UFC on Fox card given his football history.

If the UFC chooses not to let Walker fight under its banner, it should turn him into an ambassador for the MMA empire.

He's well spoken, well known and would provide non-fans an analyst who they can identify with and listen to.

The Well-Traveled Vet: Chad Griggs

Chad Griggs is a veteran that was brought in as a sacrificial lamb to Bobby Lashley. Griggs refused to be a steppingstone for anyone and virtually buried Lashley's MMA career.

Griggs has fought for a number of promotions like the IFL and Rage in the Cage besides Strikeforce, so he's seen a lot in his career.

He's coming off a win against Valentijn Overeem but will still likely be in a "must win" situation in his first bout with the UFC.

The Midwestern Prospect: Gabriel Salinas-Jones

Illinois prospect Gabriel Salinas-Jones is coming off the first loss of his career.

The fight was uneventful and isn't a representation of his skill level. GSJ has a solid camp behind him and will likely be back better in his next outing.

He's considered an up-and-coming prospect, so don't expect him to be headlining any UFC cards soon, but he will have an opportunity to show he belongs in the UFC heavyweight division.

Mr. Controversy: Mike Kyle

Mike Kyle is one of the few Strikeforce fighters who has previously fought for the UFC.

However, that likely won't do him any favors, as Dana White probably won't bring Kyle back into the UFC.

In Kyle's previous two bouts in the UFC, he defeated Wes Sims after biting him (allegedly) and followed it up with a loss to Justin Eilers.

Kyle has had controversy throughout his career, and it would be a bad PR move for the UFC to bring him in. But they have brought in other troublemakers like Gilbert Yvel, so there's hope Kyle has a future.

The Legend Killer: Fabricio Werdum

Fabricio Werdum had a successful run as a fighter in his post-UFC career.

His losses in Strikeforce and the UFC were all to former or current champions, so it's hard to discredit Werdum's accomplishments.

The problem for Werdum and Zuffa brass will be his performance against Alistair Overeem. Werdum decided his best strategy was to lie on his back, inviting Overeem to politely join him.

A solid showing against Roy Nelson would propel him "into the mix."

The Survivor: Shane del Rosario

Shane del Rosario is a very exciting prospect that will be entering the UFC heavyweight division. He has some impressive striking and some submission skills, as evidenced by his submission victory over fellow prospect Lavar Johnson.

An unfortunate traffic accident derailed his career this year but del Rosario has recovered from his injuries and should be in action sometime next spring.

Del Rosario's story of recovery could be used as a great PR tool if the prospect can string together some victories in the UFC.

Mr. Not so Big: Lavar Johnson

Lavar Johnson's career may be on the downside after suffering two straight losses.

What makes his situation worse is that he's out for a while following his last loss.

The UFC is likely just to cut ties with Johnson and force him to pick his career up on the regional circuit. If he does get a bout, it's definitely a must-win situation for him.

Mr. Hands On: Devin Cole

Devin Cole is coming off a recent victory against fellow prospect Gabriel Salinas-Jones on December 17.

Cole has rattled off two straight wins and should be in prime condition to build on his career given a chance with the UFC.

But a criminal background of this kind is likely to keep him out of the Octagon. If Dana White is really concerned about integrating MMA into the mainstream, keeping Cole under the UFC banner would be a big black eye for the company.

Greg Jackson's Savage: Shawn Jordan

Shawn "The Savage" Jordan recently beat Lavar Johnson and put him on the shelf for some time after a submission victory.

Jordan doesn't have the most impressive résumé, but he does have an ace in the hole as to why he will get a chance in the UFC: He trains under Greg Jackson, and that will likely get him an opportunity to fight in the big promotion.

Jordan would likely be good for a UFC card in/near Louisiana, as he has history there and could draw a crowd.

The Return of the Bad Guy: Josh Barnett

Josh Barnett has a long and turbulent history with Dana White and the UFC. Barnett won the heavyweight title after beating Randy Couture but was then stripped of the title for testing positive for banned substances.

Barnett and White have had their differences in the past, but that hasn't kept guys like Tito Ortiz from fighting under the UFC banner.

He's beaten some of the best in the world and is a very talented fighter. Depending on if he beats Daniel Cormier, look for Barnett to either take a tune-up fight or be thrust "into the mix" for the title.

From Russia with Love: Sergei Kharitonov

Sergei Kharitonov built quite a bit of momentum with his victory over Andrei Arlovski.

The Russian has heavy hands and could be a handful for a number of fighters in the UFC.

He lost to Josh Barnett in his last bout, but he should receive a chance to prove himself in the UFC. The main issue with Kharitonov is his lack of fighting.

If Kharitonov fights for the UFC, he's going to have to give up any plans like K-1 or anything outside of MMA and the UFC.

The Olympian: Daniel Cormier

Daniel Cormier has accomplished a lot in his 32 years of living.

Cormier was a member of the U.S. Olympic team and has some of the best wrestling credentials in all of MMA.

The main issue with Cormier coming to the UFC is his teammate, Cain Velasquez. Cormier has stated he'd be open to fighting his teammate but would rather drop to 205 pounds to avoid that confrontation.