Want more wrestling news, rumors, and results? Be sure to visit PWInsider.com and PWInsiderXtra.com.
Welcome to the PWInsiderXtra.com live coverage of the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Finale Main Card, live from the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California.
Fight #5 - Strikeforce Welterweight Division Fight
Nah-Shon Burrell (8-1-0) vs. Chris Spang (4-1-0)
Referee: Josh Rosenthal
Round One
The round begins with both fighters swinging wildly at each other, Burrell then starts attacking Spang with some lefts. Spang then catches Burrell with a head kick and a left, Spang then clinches with Burrell while landing some knee strikes. Spang then catches Burrell with a left hook and elbow strike, Spang then drops Burrell with a quick punch. Spang then clobbers Burrell with some knee strikes as he stood up, Spang then catches Burrell with some uppercuts and more knee strikes until the referee jumps in.
Fight Result: Chris Spang def. Nah-Shon Burrell by TKO via strikes (1:35, R1)
Fight #6 - Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Division Fight
Mike Kyle (19-8-1-1NC) vs. Rafael Cavalcante (11-3-0)
Referee: Marcos Rosales
Round One
The round begins with Cavalcante dropping Kyle with a knee strike, Cavalcante then starts attacking Kyle with some ground and pound. Cavalcante then locks in a guillotine choke and the tap out follows.
Fight Result: Rafael Cavalcante def. Mike Kyle by submission via guillotine choke (0:33, R1)
Post fight interview with Rafael Cavalcante, who says this fight was about his support staff and he wants the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight title.
Fight #7 - Strikeforce Lightweight Title Fight
Gilbert Melendez (20-2-0) (Champion) vs. Josh Thomson (19-4-0-1NC)
Referee: Dan Stell
Round One
The round begins with Thomson catching Melendez with a front kick, Thomson then scores a quick trip takedown on Melendez. Thomson follows that up with a knee strike on Melendez, Melendez then scores a takedown on Thomson and he gets leg control. Thomson finds a way to stand up and Melendez catches him with a knee strike, Thomson responds by landing a knee strike of his own. Thomson then nails Melendez with a two punch combo, Melendez then scores a takedown on Thomson as the round ends.
Round Two
The round begins with the fighters swinging wildly at each other, Melendez then attacsk Thomson with a few body punches. Melendez then starts peppering Thomson with a lot of jabs, Thomson then charges at Melendez while landing a right. Melendez recovers to catch Thomson with an uppercut, Melendez then accidentally pokes Thomson in the eye and the fight is halted. The fight resumes with Melendez nailing Thomson with a counter right, Melendez then scores a takedown on Thomson after landing a left hook to the rib cage. The fighters stand up and Melendez cracks Thomson with a right, Melendez lands a few elbow strikes as the round ends.
Round Three
The round begins with Melendez trying to slow Thomson down with leg kicks, Melendez then rocks Thomson with a two punch combination. Thomson then catches Melendez with a few lefts, Melendez then barely connects with some uppercuts on Thomson. Thomson responds by cracking Melendez with an uppercut of his own, Melendez then attacks Thomson with a punch to the belly. Melendez then attacks Thomson with a series of uppercuts, Thomson responds with some strikes of his own. Thomson then catches Melendez with a push kick, Melendez with a straight left as the round ends.
Round Four
The round begins with Melendez attacking Thomson with leg kicks, Melendez then starts peppering Thomson with some jabs. Thomson then cracks an incoming Melendez with a right, Melendez then scores a takedown on Thosmon and he gets leg control. The fighters stand up and Melendez cracks Thosmon with an uppercut, Melendez then barely hits Thomson with an elbow strike. Thomson then scores a takedown on Melendez and he attacks him with multiple strikes, Thomson then quickly gets back control on Melendez and he goes for the rear naked choke as the round ends.
Round Five
The round begins with both fighters swinging wildly at each other, Melendez then scores a takedown on Thomson. The fighters stand up instantly and Thomson nails Melendez with a right hook, Thomson follows that up by nailing Melendez with two more rights. Melendez responds by catching Thomson with a left, Thomson then nails Melendez with a striking combination. Melendez quickly retaliates by hitting Thomson with a knee strike, Thomson then clinches with Melendez to hit him with a knee strike. Melendez goes for a takedown and he eats a knee strike for his efforts, Thomson then scores a takedown on Melendez and he gets the open guard. Thomson attacks Melendez with ground and pound as the round ends.
Fight Result: Gilbert Melendez def. Josh Thomson by split decision (48-47, 47-48, 47-48)
Post fight interview with Gilbert Melendez, who says Josh Thomson is a tough battle and he felt he won most of the rounds. Post fight interview with Josh Thomson, who says the fans should not jeer Gilbert Melendez and that he is a tough fighter.
Main Event - Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Finals
Josh Barnett (31-5-0) vs. Daniel Cormier (9-0-0)
Referee: Josh Rosenthal
Round One
The round begins with Barnett landing a body kick before slipping, Barnett then pops Cormier with a left to the face. Cormier then cracks Barnett with a two punch combination, the fighters lock up and exchange knee strikes. Barnett then chases Cormier to hit him with a knee strike, Cormier then nails Barnett with a series of punches. Barnett then catches Cormier with a variety of kicks, Cormier then lands a hook to the ribs of Barnett. Cormier then nails Barnett with a series of lefts, Barnett and Cormier then exchange knee strikes during a clinch. Barnett then pops Cormier with a knee strike and a straight right as the round ends.
Round Two
The round begins with Barnett attacking Cormier with leg kicks, Cormier then rocks Barnett with a two punch combination. Barnett responds by landing some punches of his own, Barnett then cracks Cormier with a knee strike to the chest area. Cormier then rocks Barnett with an uppercut and body punch, Cormier then scores the takedown on Barnett and he gets the closed guard. Cormier then starts attacking Barnett with some ground and pound, Cormier then lands some elbow strikes on Barnett. Barnett attempts to roll for a few submissions, Cormier lands a few more strikes as the round ends.
Round Three
The round begins with Cormier cracking Barnett with a right hook, Barnett responds by hitting Cormier with a knee strike. Cormier then attacks Barnett with a body shot after eating a leg kick, Cormier then takes down Barnett with a high crotch slam. Cormier then gets the side control position on Barnett, Cormier then attacks Barnett with elbow strikes. Barnett uses the scramble to get the fight standing, Cormier then pops Barnett with a straight right to the face. The fighters then simultaneously catch each other with rights, Cormier then rocks Barnett with a head kick. Cormier then pounces on Barnett before eating an uppercut, Cormier then lands a few knee strikes on the legs of Barnett as the round ends.
Round Four
The round begins with Barnett popping Cormier with a left, Barnett follows that up by catching Cormier with a knee to the head. Cormier then catches Barnett with a left hook, Cormier then lands another uppercut before eating knee strike. Cormier then attacks Barnett with a series of head kicks, Barnett then forces Cormier on the cage wall while landing knee strikes. Cormier then cracks Barnett with a short right, Barnett then pulls guard on Cormier after rolling for a knee bar. Cormier escapes a knee bar attempt to get on top of Barnett, Cormier then starts attacking Barnett with ground and pound. The referee stands up the fighters after inactivity and Barnett lands another knee strike as the round ends.
Round Five
The round begins with Barnett landing a kick to the ribs of Cormier, Barnett then holds Cormier up against the cage wall. Barnett then cracks Cormier with a straight right to the jaw, both fighters then exchange some kicks. Barnett then chases at Cormier to catch him with a right, Cormier then lands a two punch combination on Barnett. Cormier then scores a takedown on Barnett, Barnett stands up quickly and Cormier attacks him with knee strikes. Cormier then holds Barnett up against the cage wall as the round ends.
Fight Result: Daniel Cormier def. Josh Barnett by unanimous decision (49-46, 50-45, 50-45)
Post fight interview with Daniel Cormier, who says this moment means everything to him and this win is for everybody who supported him.
