Strikeforce Grand Prix comes down to wire

Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva, right, is a heavy favorite this weekend and to win the Strikforce Grand Prix.

With Strikeforce in Cincinnati this week to hold thesemi-final bouts of their Heavyweight Grand Prix, mixed martial arts fans arepaying close attention to the final four competitors and this whole card.

Here are my predictions for the semi-final bouts and theother three fights on the main card:

Pat “Bam Bam” Healyvs. Maximo Blanco: What was supposed to be Josh Thomson vs. Blanco was at arisk of not being on the card after Thomson injured his foot, but the one theycall “Bam Bam” stepped in. This fight should be a good one. A veteran, Healy,facing off against a young up-and-comer, Blanco. Give the veteran edge to Healy and the fight as well. Healy by KO.

“King” Mo Lawal vs.Roger Gracie: The classic wrestler versus jiu-jitsu fight. King Mo iscoming off of a loss and looking to prove that he can hang with the best ofthem. Gracie is looking to show that he belongs with elite competition and adda big name to his win column. Gracie’s quickness might be too much for Lawal, who at times can become too emotional. Gracie by submission. But, here's a disclaimer, if fight goes to decision don't be surprised to see King Mo take this one.

Ronaldo “Jacare” Souzavs. Luke Rockhold: Rockhold is in an unique situation. He is coming off ofmultiple injuries and has a chance to earn a title shot in his first fightback. However, Jacare is the #4 middleweight in the world for a reason. A winvaunts him into title contention as well. Right now, Rockhold has a lot toprove in his fight career and this might be the fight that answers a lot of questions for him but Souza is a vicious competitor and BJJ expert. Souza by decision.

Now onto the main events:

Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva vs. Daniel Cormier: Cormier was thrust into the tournament just a fewmonths back and is being given an opportunity to become one of the topheavyweights in the world. Silva, on the other hand, is trying to show he ismore than just a giant fighting but a true fighter that can use technique in amatch. The five-inch height difference should help Silva and it will bedifficult for Cormier to take him down. Silvaby decision.

Josh Barnett vs.Sergei Kharitonov: These two big men are very evenly matched and are simplyclones of one another. Barnett has the more matches, but some of those were inJapan’s DREAM promotion. Although a black belt in BJJ, Barnett does rely heavily on his wrestling and striking. Kharitonov has a more mixed style andthat should help him immensely. However, Barnett is just too much for anyone to beat. Barnett by KO.

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