Josh Barnett vs Daniel Cormier
Photo by Esther Lin/Showtime
by Dr. Octagon, J.D.
Before this fight I was like, damn, Josh Barnett (left) is old as hell, but it just seems that way because he won the UFC championship when he was 24. He was caught juicing soon after for the first of his three positive tests. Barnett maintains his innocence, but one look at his body now that he is being tested regularly shows otherwise.
Daniel Cormier (above right) is about the same age as Barnett, but also a former Olympian. Barnett has been fighting a ton of bums lately, so I’m not impressed by his recent resurgence. Cormier gets better every fight; if he can avoid getting caught by the always-tricky Barnett, he should be able to win this one. Round-by-round updates after the jump:[[MORE]]
Round 1: Barnett has a seven-inch reach advantage and is moving forward with a jab. Cormier is unloading his big right. It looks like Cormier is landing much more solidly than Barnett so far. Cormier landed a nice knee. Barnett got a hold of Cormier, but Cormeir shrugged him off. Barnett looks gassed already. The rotund Cormier seems a lot fresher and rocks Barnett again.
Barnett is much taller, but can’t use his reach advantage at all so far. He’s going to get knocked out if he keeps standing in the pocket. Also, there is no motherfucking way that Barnett can keep up a non-embarrassing pace for five rounds. The fighters lock up and Cormier lands a knee. Cormier lands another big right. Barnett swarms and lands a big punch, Cormier looks hurt. Cormier pushes Barnett against the cage and eats several knees.
Round 2: Cormier is landing at will. Barnett seems to have no sense of range. He is standing way closer than he needs to. But Cormier’s left eye is fucked. Barnett ate a couple of punches, but landed a big knee. Barnett locks up Cormier, but Cormier lands a nice uppercut from the clinch. Cormier to the body.
Cormier gets the single leg and has a takedown. Not sure if that’s a good move. Barnett is dangerous on the ground. Cormier is landing some nice elbows though. Barnett went for a triangle, but Cormier got out of it easily. Cormier has a crucifix position and Barnett grabs an arm, but Cormier gets out of it. Barnett’s face is looking terrible. A bloody fucking mess. This is a great fight so far.
Cormier looks like he has learned a lot in his short MMA career. Barnett has all kinds of cuts on his face. Cormier gets a few more punches in.
Round 3: The fighters exchange, but I couldn’t see what happened. Cormier looks hurt. Barnett is going for the single, but Cormier is defending it well. Cormier’s pants are falling down. He pulls them up. Barnett keeps coming forward, but he’s not getting much done.
Cormier lands a nice right and picks up Barnett, turns him upside down, and slams him to the ground. Cormier is just so strong. Barnett is able to work to his feet though. Cormier lands a nice pair of punches. Cormier shoots, but Barnett is kicking. Cormier lands a head kick and is swarming. Barnett is messed up against the fence, but he isn’t out of it and he returns fire. Cormier has Barnett’s back from a standing position and Barnett is leaning on the cage, creating a puddle of blood.
Round 4: Barnett lands a big knee to Cormier’s face. The fighters clinch and Barnett lands an elbow. I take back what I said about Barnett’s conditioning. He is still pretty active. Cormier lands a nice right hook. Barnett needs to finish this fight. There’s no way he’s won even a round. Cormier lands another nice uppercut. Cormier is throwing headkicks and his hands are pretty low.
Cormier shoots, has a single, and gets the takedown. Barnett rolls into a heelhook, but Cormier is too slippery and gets out of it. That was the best chance Barnett has had at winning the fight right there. Barnett is working some nice elbows from the bottom, but his face is fucked to the max. Referee Rosenthal stands them up. Fighters clinch against the fence as the round ends.
Round 5: Ah, the announcers just referred to Barnett as a Top-3 heavyweight. Nice. Love the ridiculous Strikeforce propaganda. Barnett moving forward, but Cormier ties him up. Barnett lands a knee. Cormier knows he has the fight in the bag and is playing it safe. Barnett throws a spinning backfist and Cormier takes him down. Barnett gets up and Cormier tries to throw him again, but Barnett is able to stay on his feet. Cormier shoves Barnett up against the cage and is trying to keep him there until the round ends. Cormier runs away as the round ends.
Judges score it 49-46 and 50-45 (twice) for Cormier. Not sure which round Barnett could have won, but whatever. Cormier wins, I believe he has to fight one more guy in Strikeforce before he can move to the UFC.