Cormier defeats Barnett to claim Strikeforce Grand Prix title

Daniel Cormier remained perfect in capturing the Strikeforce Grand Prix Heavyweight title at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California.

Cormier, 238 lbs of Lafayette, LA won by scores of 50-45;49-46 and 49-46 to up his unblemished mark to 10-0. Branett, 248 lbs of Fullerton, CA is 31-6.

“I’ve lost a lot of people in my life and this is for them,” said the emotional champion after the fight. “For my kids, my daughter, my dad; this is for my family.”

Cormier went on to credit his AKA teammates who were in attendance. “Cain (Velazquez), Luke Rockhold, Mike Kyle. Those guys kick my (butt) everyday in practice so I know that I can go with anybody right here in the cage.

“Beating Josh Barnett, this is something a year ago that I never thought I could do.”

STRIKEFORCE Lightweight Championship – 5 Rounds

In the pair’s third fierce battle, STRIKEFORCE Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez (21-2) won the thrilling rubber match by narrow Split Decision over Josh Thomson (19-5). Through five championship rounds it was give-and-take as both men traded sharp shooting strikes and shrewd takedowns. Scores were 48-47 Thomson, and 48-47 twice for Melendez.

Rafael Feijao needed just thirty-three seconds to avenge a previous loss and to choke out Mike Kyle in a scheduled three round Light Heavyweight bout.

Feijao landed hard right hand that stunned Kyle and then landed numerous shots before getting Kyle in the choke and then he tapped out.

Feijao, 206 lbs of Rio De Janero, Brazil is now 12-3 with two submissions. Kyle, 203 lbs of San Jose, CA is now 19-9-11.

Chris Spang scored a first round stoppage over Nah-Shon Burrell in a Welterweight bout.

Spang landed a heavy shot that hurt Burrell and Spang never let up with punches and knees and the fight was stopped at 1:35 of round one.

Spang, 169 lbs of Las Vegas is now 5-1 with three knockouts. Burrell, 170 lbs of Philadelphia is now 8-2

Isaac Vallie-Flag scored a three round split decision over JZ Calvalcante in a Lightweight bout.

Vallie-Flag, 156 lbs of Albuquerque, NM won two cards by 29-28 tallies while Calvalcante took a card 29-28.

Vallie-Flag is now 14-3-1. Calvacante, 156 lbs of Delray Beach, FL is now 10-5-1-1-1

Guto Inocente remained undefeated with a three round unanimous decision over Virgil Swicker in what was a war of attrition.

Both guys landed heavy blowsthroughout the fight with Swicker bleeding from the nosein round two.

Inocente of Delray Beach, FL won by scores of 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28 and is 6-0. Swicker of Temecula, CA is now 10-3.

Gian Villante scored a three round unanimous decision over Derrick Mehmen in a Light Heavyweight bout.

Villane, 205 lbs of Levittown, NY won by scores of 30-37, 30-27 and 29-29 and is now 10-3. Mehemn, 205 lbs of Coconut Creek, FL is now 12-5.

Quinn Mullhurn scored a three round split decision over Yuri Villefort.

Scores were 30-27 & 29-28 for Mullhurn who is now 18-2. Villefort is now 6-1