Barnett and Cormier (right) face off (photo courtesy Showtime)

By FCF Staff

Tomorrow night, San Jose’s HP Pavilion will host one of Strikeforce’s biggest heavyweight bouts to date, as former UFC champ Josh Barnett will take on renowned wrestler Daniel Cormier in the finals of the Grand-Prix Tournament.

UFC 146 will take place one week later, and several of the accomplished heavyweights scheduled to fight on that card, have offered their predictions on how Barnett vs. Cormier will go down.

Here is what Junior dos Santos, Frank Mir, Cain Velasquez and Antonio Silva had to say about the bout in a recent press release.

It should be noted, that many odds-makers have Barnett as a slight favorite over the undefeated Cormier.

Junior dos Santos, reigning UFC heavyweight champion, said: “They are both great fighters and this is a fight that could end very quickly for each guy. But Cormier is more explosive and has the better chances to end this early. It could be very exciting, but I think Cormier wins.”

Frank Mir, two-time UFC heavyweight champion, said: “I think Cormier takes this. I can’t see Barnett getting him to the ground, his wrestling is too strong. And on the feet I think Cormier has the power to end things. But with two top heavyweights, anything can happen. That’s why this division is so exciting – anyone who is world class can beat anyone else with one punch. You can’t say that about the lighter weight classes and that’s why heavyweight fights are so cool to watch.”

Cain Velasquez, former UFC heavyweight champion said: “I pick Daniel Cormier. Number one, because I train with him but also because he’s so hungry in this sport, I don’t think he will be denied. He was really raw when he came into our gym the first time a couple of years ago but he picked up everything a lot faster than most. He has dangerous strikes and I can’t see Josh getting him to the ground. Daniel’s wrestling is too good; I think he takes this fight and makes a statement about his future in the division.”

Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva, who reached the Grand Prix semi-final stage before losing to Cormier, also picked his old rival for the win, saying: “I think Cormier will win this fight and be the Grand Prix Champion. I was very surprised by him in our fight. I think he is too strong, too powerful in this fight. He punches very hard and his wrestling is very good. I think he will win inside the distance unless Josh Barnett gets this to the ground quickly.”

Dos Santos will take on Mir in the main event of the UFC 146 card in Las Vegas, and Velasquez will battle the UFC newcomer Silva in another of the main card’s pivotal bouts.