‘Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Cormier’ LIVE results and play-by-play

SAN JOSE, Calif. – “Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Cormier” takes place this evening at HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif., and is headlined by the Strikeforce heavyweight grand prix final featuring Josh Barnett vs. Daniel Cormier. In the co-headliner, Strikeforce lightweight champ Gilbert Melendez puts his title on the line against longtime Bay area rival Josh Thomson.

Tonight’s main card will air live on Showtime at 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT) and the preliminary card will air live on Showtime Extreme at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT). ProMMAnow.com (www.prommanow.com) will provide LIVE results and play-by-play commentary of all tonight’s action.

“Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Cormier” quick results:

MAIN CARD (Showtime)

• Daniel Cormier def. Josh Barnett by unanimous decision (49-46, 50-45, 50-45)
• Gilbert Melendez def. Josh Thomson by split decision (47-48, 48-47, 48-47)
• Rafael Cavalcante def. Mike Kyle by submission (guillotine) Rd 1 (0:33)
• Chris Spang def. Nah-Shon Burrell by KO (strikes) Rd 1 (1:35)

PRELIMINARY CARD (Showtime Extreme)

• Isaac Vallie-Flagg def. Gesias “JZ” Cavalcante by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
• Guto Inocente def. Virgil Zwicker by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
• Gian Viallante def. Derrick Mehmen by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
• Quinn Mulhern def. Yuri Villefort by split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
• Bobby Green def. James Terry by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

“Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Cormier” play-by-play:

Preliminary Card

Quinn Mulhern vs. Yuri Villefort

Round 1 – Mulhern flashing his jab early. Kick Mulhern, and Villefort grabs it and puts him on the mat. Back to the feet. One-two by Mulhern closes the distance as he puts Villefort on the cage. Break. Back to the center of the cage. Nice exchange. Villefort with a blistering leg kick. Kicks by both now. Mulhern is rocking a serious 70’s stache in this one. Mulhern shoots and gets the fight to the mat. Mulhern dives into the guard of Villefort. He tries to pass and Villefort scrambles looking to improve his position. Mulhern standing over the guard of Villefort and trying to pass but keeps eating upkicks. Villefort scrambles and Mulhern takes his back for a moment. Back to standing now, with Mulhern pressing Villefort into the cage. Villefort presses off the cage and gets the takedown. Mulhern using his length on the ground trying to set up a sub attempt. Nice right hand from the top now. Mulhern is controlling the posture of Villefort as time runs down on the opening round. Big elbow from Villefort. Close round. PMN scores it for Mulhern, 10-9.

Round 2 – Jab Mulhern. Villefort counters with more leg kicks. Big left hook by Villefort. He circles out, then leans in with a looping right that misses. Mulhern changes levels and puts Villefort back on the mat again. Pretty easy takedown by Mulhern. Villefort is giving up the td pretty easy early in this fight. Mulhern puts Villefort on the cage. Elbow from the bottom lands. Mulhern is bleeding but maintains top control after a scramble. Mulhern in side mount, north-south, then to full mount. Nice transitions. Villefort somehow reverses, shakes Mulhern off and is now on top. Mulhern grabs the neck of Villefort but he loses his grip. Villefort on top but not doing much as the ref calls for action. High guard by Mulhern, as he alternates to the rubber guard to control Villefort. Two left hands by Villefort. Mulhern shifts his hips and locks up the omoplata. Villefort rolls to free his arm, but gets caught in an arm triangle. Villefort fights his way out of the sub attempt and into the full guard of Mulhern. Right hand from the top. Body-head now as the round closes. Another close round. PMN scores Round 2 for Villefort.

Round 3 – Overhand right misses by Villefort. Mulhern ducks under and throws a right of his own. Mulhern drives for a takedown and gets it. Villefort scrambles, getting back to his feet. Mulhern has him pressed on the cage. Villefort goes for a takedown but can’t get it, ending up on his back. Mulhern locks up a north-south choke, but Villefort grimaces and survives. Mulhern now in side control. Short, grinding elbows from the top now. Villefort scrambles to avoid the damage, but ends up right back in the same position with Mulhern in side control. More grinding elbows. Villefort bridges and shakes Mulhern off. Back to the feet now. Mulhern goes for another takedown, but ends up pulling guard. He drops to the leg looking for a kneebar. Villefort again manages to escape yet another submission attempt. Villefort now on top. Mulhern locks up the arm of Villefort going for the omoplata. Mulhern has it locked up. Villefort tries to roll out of trouble but ends up getting mounted. Villefort retains guard, then goes for a leg of his own. Mulhern defends perfectly, then takes the back and lands some right hands. Under 30 to go in this one. Villefort tries to shake Mulhern off but cannot as the bell sounds. PMN gives the final round to Mulhern. The fight goes to him as well, 29-28.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Quinn Mulhern def. Yuri Villefort by split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)

Derrick Mehmen vs. Gian Viallante

Round 1 – Both guys come out and waste little time exchanging. Viallante lands a nice kick. Nice double jab from Mehmen. One-two from Mehmen. Viallante coming forward now, launches a right hand and a huge uppercut. Mehmen is down on the cage. Mehmen tries to get to his feet, but Viallante has a bodylock, and is firing off knees with Mehmen pressed on the fence. Mehmen is looking for a stand up but the ref lets them continue on the floor. Viallante postures up, but can’t land much of anything. Back to the feet. Mehmen with a shot to the body, then misses with a left hook. Viallante with a big combination. Viallante with another big kick. Viallante with a jab, but it’s the right hand that snaps the head back. Viallante comes forward and puts Mehmen on the cage. They break and take the center of the cage. Mehmen with a one-two but Viallante blocks them effectively. Viallante goes upstairs and narrowly misses a huge kick. Easy round for Viallante.

Round 2 – Mehmen goes back to the one-two to open the round, but he’s not landing the combo very cleanly. Viallante is defending nicely. He comes forward and goes to the body and Mehmen circles out of danger before Viallante can string together any more punches. Mehmen shoots but not even close on the takedown. Viallante throws another big kick. This time Mehmen checks it. Very effective striking by Viallante. Kick to the body by Viallante as Mehmen throws his looping right hand. Viallante doubles up on his jab, then gets poked in the eye. Back to the action. Another big kick by Viallante. Mehmen again looks for a takedown, but doesn’t even get into the hips of Viallante. Not even close. Mehmen with a kick. Viallante kicks back. Another check by Mehmen. Viallante lands a big combo, and a kick that drops Mehmen. He’s back on his feet. Snapping jab by Viallante. Another round in the books for Viallante.

Round 3 – Touch of gloves to start. Mehmen needs a finish to win this one. Viallante working his jab effectively. Mehmen finally lands a right hand. He’s still throwing a basic one-two but it hasn’t been landing for him for the most part. Viallante with an uppercut. Three strike combination by Viallante but it’s the leg kick that finished the combo that did the damage. Mehmen with a nice flurry but he’s still losing the round. He ducks in and eats another jab. Mehmen slides forward and throws a flurry but nothing really lands. 2:30 to go. It has to be desperation time for Mehmen now, but it’s Viallante that’s coming forward. Double uppercut gets through for Viallante. Jab. Again. He’s slowing down but scoring at will. Mehmen doubles up and lands the second jab. Jab Mehmen, kick Viallante. Wow. Another blistering kick by Viallante. Mehmen shoots for a takedown with less than 20 to go. He drags Viallante down, but it’s too little, too late. PMN scores it 30-27 for Viallante.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Gian Viallante def. Derrick Mehmen by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Virgil Zwicker vs. Guto Inocente

Round 1 – Lots of feinting to start as both guys feel each other out. Leaping left hand misses by Zwicker. Inocente with a blistering kick. Nice exchange. Big right hand by Zwicker lands during an exchange. Inocente is landing his kicks to the body and to the body. Zwicker eats a monster head kick and somehow survives. He shoots in for a takedown and they hit the ground for a moment. Big knees by Inocente and Zwicker looks hurt. Spinning back kick by Inocente. He is punishing Zwicker with huge shots. Zwicker gives him a wave to bring it on. He’s a tough dude for sure. Another big knee by Inocente tattoos the grill of Zwicker. Zwicker looks tired, breathing with his mouth wide open. More kicks from Inocente. This dude is a monster. He just misses another leg kick. Big knee and it’s crazy that Zwicker is still up. Takedown Zwicker with less than a minute to go. Inocente is turtled up. Back to the feet now. Leg kick Zwicker. Round 1 for Inocente.

Round 2 – Touch of gloves. Inocente has to be asking himself how can he get this guy out of here. He kicks to the body, then head but Zwicker ducks in and puts Inocente on his back. Active guard by Inocente from his back. Zwicker with a short elbow, then stands and kicks the legs. Zwicker dives into the guard of Inocente. Inocente kicks off and gets back to his feet. Another big kick. Leaping left hook from Zwicker. Plum clinch, knee, leg kick Inocente. Straight left gets through for Inocente. Another kick. Inocente locks his hands and looks for a takedown. Zwicker is on the cage with one hand on the deck to avoid getting kicked in the face. Spinning back fist from Inocente lands straight on the pumpkin. Zwicker might just be immortal. He looks exhausted but he’s still in there. Inocente looks like he’s wearing down. They clinch and Zwicker fires off a knee up the middle. Now he takes the fight to the mat. Right hands from Zwicker as Inocente gets back to his feet. Both guys look spent now but keep throwing. Zwicker drops for a takedown but Inocente defends, clears space and lands an elbow. Another round for Inocente.

Round 3 – Zwicker needs something dramatic in this round. He comes forward firing. He’s still in there and working. Clinch now and it’s Inocente that lands a couple of knees. Nice counter by Zwicker back up Inocente. Battle in the clinch now on the cage. More knees from Inocente. Zwicker snatches the hips of Inocente of the cage but can’t get the fight to the canvas. Uppercut Inocente. Zwicker still coming forward. Straight left Inocente. Push kick by Inocente is caught by Zwicker. They are battling on the cage again with half a round to go. Inocente lands a knee on the break. Zwicker zombie walks forward and tries a flying knee. He’s still coming forward even though he absorbed yet another left hand. Under a minute to go. Spinning back fist by Zwicker. Inocente with a one-two. Big jab from Zwicker. Chopping leg kick by Inocente. Zwicker STILL coming forward. Flying knee from Inocente lands and Zwicker walks right through it. Amazing heart. Inocente takes the final round, and the fight overall 30-27 on the PMN scorecard.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Guto Inocente def. Virgil Zwicker by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

Gesias “JZ” Cavalcante vs. Isaac Vallie-Flagg

Round 1 – I’m going to have to go with VF for Vallie-Flagg. I don’t think I can type his full name for an entire bout. Since we are shortening things up here, it will be JZ for Cavalcante. What else does the ref want? He’s asking for mouthpieces, towels. I guess a sandwich will be next. Nope. Time to fight. VF coming forward immediately. JZ fires back with a counter left hand. Jab-leg kick by JZ. VF is feinting with his jab, then misses badly with a right hand. JZ with another thudding leg kick. JZ changes levels and drives through a takedown. VF now on the cage, and JZ transitions to the back quickly. He’s in trouble here. VF scrambles but now has JZ on his neck. JZ gives up the guillotine and then fires off a knee on the break as both guys get to their feet. VF coming forward. Jab by both guys. JZ goes upstairs but it’s blocked by VF. VF swinging for the fences now but he isn’t landing much. VF still coming forward pressuring JZ but he has to be more effective. Push kick VF. Counter right hand by JZ. VF with a flying knee. Body kick by VF. JZ comes back with a leg kick, then he blisters VF with a head kick. VF responds with a leaping knee. Nice first round. PMN scores the first for Cavalcante.

Round 2 – JZ with kicks to start. VF comes forward kicking but gives up a takedown for his troubles. JZ on top and in the half guard position now. Right hands for JZ from the top. JZ looking to move to mount but VF slides out the back and gets back to his feet. Nice stiff jab by JZ. VF still pressuring. Lead left hand by VF. Back-to-Back body shots by JZ. Nice combo by VF. He adds in a headkick that’s partially blocked. JZ is going with the overhand right to counter the kicks of VF. Kicks by both. Now both guys are trading jabs. JZ ducks in but VF shrugs him off. Jab VF. VF with a flying knee. Nice exchange now. Winging overhand right by VF. He’s finishing strong. Double jab, right hand by VF. JZ changes levels, gets a leg but gives it up. He then puts VF on the cage. VF throws him off and just misses with a head kick. VF is getting into a groove now. PMN gives the second round to Vallie-Flagg.

Round 3 – JZ comes forward to start the final round. VF now coming forward. He lands up the middle, then a knee. He has JZ pressed into the cage now. This fight is in the balance here. They battle on the cage as the referee calls for action. They break and it’s VF that lands on the break. Uppercut VF. VF strings together three jabs. Elbow now with JZ’s back on the cage. VF has turned this fight around. Big elbow inside by VF. Another. JZ has slowed down and VF has ramped it up. He’s throwing a much higher volume of strikes and winning this round so far. Back to the clinch on the cage. VF with more elbows. Now he mixes in knees. He’s doing work inside with dirty boxing. JZ comes back with a jab. Leg kick now. VF giving it all he has. JZ retreats. VF puts him on the cage again. Another big elbow. VF steps back and lands a looping right hand. JZ is fading. He fires back but isn’t very effective now. He sticks VF with a jab but it’s one-and-done. Clinch again. VF grinds an elbow inside. Under a minute to go. Short right hands by VF. Body now. JZ finally gets off the cage. VF with another leaping knee. Again. Jab by both with under 20 seconds to go. Three punch combo VF. Both guys swinging to the finish. PMN scores the final round for Vallie-Flagg.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Isaac Vallie-Flagg def. Gesias “JZ” Cavalcante by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

Main Card

Nah-Shon Burrell vs. Chris Spang

Round 1 – Burrell’s pink shorts are blinding. They meet in the middle and bang. Burrell flashing his jab early. Spang flicks a kick upstairs but just misses. Lots of left hands by Burrell to start. Leg kick by Spang. Burrell is changing stances like crazy. Big exchange and Burrell lands a flush left hook that barely fazes Spang. To the clinch now. Spang fires on the break. Burrell with a three punch combo. Spang drops Burrell with a laser accurate left hook. Burrell back up but he’s eating a flurry of repeated knees to the face. Uppercuts now and Burrell is on ice skates. Big right hand. I’m not sure how Burrell is still standing somehow. Another knee and he’s not standing anymore. Huge finish by Spang.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Chris Spang def. Nah-Shon Burrell by KO (strikes) Rd 1 (1:35)

Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante vs. Mike Kyle

Round 1 – Kyle with a jab to start. “Feijao” lands a right hand behind the ear then drops Kyle with a knee. He lands some ground-and-pound. Kyle scrambles to his feet but is in a deep standing guillotine. Kyle drops to the mat trying to break the choke, but it’s over and “Feijao” has a quick win in their rematch via guillotine.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Rafael Cavalcante def. Mike Kyle by submission (guillotine) Rd 1 (0:33)

Strikeforce Lightweight Championship
Gilbert Melendez (c) vs. Josh Thomson

Round 1 – Melendez takes the center of the cage to start. Nice exchange early. Melendez is flashing his jab as usual. Thomson ducks in and gets a trip takedown but the champ bounces right back to his feet. Clinch, Thomson with knees. Exchange again, with Thomson landing a knee on his way out. Melendez changes levels and gets deep into the hips of Thomson. He’s on top now as he secures the legs of Thomson. Thomson is working to get back to his feet but Melendez maintains control of the legs. Now he’s back up. Reset now, with Melendez coming forward as Thomson circles. Another exchange. The champ gets in a couple of knees before they break. Thomson snaps off a kick. Melendez still flashing his jab but there isn’t much on it. Jab Thomson. Close first round now. Double jab from Melendez. Thomson with a three-strike combo. Melendez catches a kick and dumps Thomson to the mat at the bell. PMN scores the first for Melendez.

Round 2 – Melendez coming forward. They exchange early. Both guys firing off shots. Melendez looks for a takedown but doesn’t get it. The champion takes the center of the cage now, feinting his jab again. Lead left hook scores for Melendez. Thomson comes back with a kick up top. Melendez fakes an uppercut and scores to the body. To the clinch now. Melendez throws a right then steps out and away. He immediately starts coming forward again. Melendez is using his jab to measure the distance more than he is to score. He’s a bit hesitant. Thomson with a short flurry. To the body by the challenger. Melendez with a left hook. He follows up with an uppercut, then finally lands a flush jab. Melendez throws again, poking Thomson in the eye. After a brief break, they are back at it. Big exchange now. Melendez gets the better of it with a couple of big powershots. Jab-body by Melendez. The champion drops and secures a nice double leg. He has Thomson down but can he keep him there? He cannot, but he does land right down the middle after they get back to their feet. Easy round for the champion.

Round 3 – Thomson lands a stiff jab to begin the third. Melendez retaliates and Thomson counters with a kick upstairs that is blocked. Thomson is opening up with his kicks early which he needs to do. Melendez still coming forward. He put a jab out there, then goes for a takedown. Melendez straight up the middle. Thomson fires back and they are going at it now. Thomson coming forward now. Left hook from the champ. Melendez uppercut. Thomson goes for the trip, Melendez hits that mat and rolls straight back to his feet. Another uppercut from the champ. Thomson switches stances and lands the right hand. Nice head movement from Melendez as he avoids the combinations of Thomson. More uppercuts from Melendez. Thomson comes right back landing a laser straight jab. Another eye poke. Boos rain out from the crowd. Back to action. Thomson ducks under a jab and lands an overhand right. Thomson shoots. Melendez shrugs him off easily. 30 seconds to go. Melendez jab. Thomson swings and misses. PMN scores the third for Melendez.

Round 4 – Championship rounds now. Melendez coming forward. He throws a lazy left hook. Thomson kicks high but it’s blocked. Melendez triples up on the jab then follows with the right hand. Thomson lands a big right hand as Melendez ducks into range. Thomson counters and lands another right hand down the middle. Melendez changes levels and gets Thomson to the mat. Thomson is back up quickly. Jabs by both. Melendez uppercut. Kick Thomson. They are going at it. Melendez feints the jab and shoots in for a double. He has the challenger pressed into the cage, but gives it up and steps away, landing an elbow on the break. Thomson rushes forward with a three-punch combo but misses. Thomson gets a trip takedown and is now on top. Melendez scrambles and takes the back of the champion. He locks up a rear-naked-choke and the champion is in trouble. Thomson locks in the body triangle and works for the finish with 30 seconds to go. Melendez rolls, gets to his feet but still has Thomson on his back. Round 4 goes to Thomson.

Round 5 – Jab Melendez. Melendez coming forward with a sense of urgency. Both guys throw in the pocket. Melendez shoots in for the takedown and gets it. Thomson bounces back to his feet. Melendez lands with the jab. Thomson now coming forward. Kick Thomson. Thomson with a right hook that lands. Nice exchange. Thomson wins it though, ending with a flush right hand. Melendez with the jab, then uppercut. Very close final round. Thomson with another kick. He stuffs a Melendez takedown. Thomson complains of another eye poke. The referee warns Melendez. Jab Melendez after the restart. Wow, what an exchange in the center of the cage. Thomson is surging. I would hate to be judging this one. Melendez is stuffed again. Thomson with a flurry. Trip takedown by Thomson. He’s on top with 30 seconds to go. Melendez throwing from his back but Thomson is on top and will finish on top. PMN scores the final round for Thomson 10-9. Overall, 48-47 for Melendez.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Gilbert Melendez def. Josh Thomson by split decision (47-48, 48-47, 48-47)

Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Final
Josh Barnett vs. Daniel Cormier

Round 1 – Here we go! Barnett snaps out his jab. He doubles up on it again. Cormier comes forward. They clinch for a moment. Cormier with a one-two and a kick. Cormier with a nasty right hook to finish off a three-punch combo. Knee up the middle by Cormier. Cormier with a quick left hook. Barnett fires back. They lock up. Barnett with a nice combination. Cormier comes back with a one-two. Barnett lands a nice left hook. Cormier counters with a left hand. His hands are super fast for a heavyweight. Barnett leads with a front kick. Cormier settling into a rhythm now. He looks super relaxed. Barnett coming forward. Nice kick by Barnett. They clinch again. So far not even close to hitting the mat. Cormier with a snapping shot to the body, then a right hook. Jab Barnett. Cormier with three straight left hands. Kick by Cormier. Barnett ducks in and clinches but Cormier slides out easily. One-two Cormier. Leg kick by Cormier is caught and Barnett lands a nice right hand then a knee. Cormier drives Barnett into the cage. End of Round 1. PMN scores the first for Cormier.

Round 2 – Barnett coming forward to start. Barnett throws one, Cormier throws three. He’s getting off more shots on the exchanges early. Barnett with a kick to the body. Left hook by Cormier. He’s been very effective with the left. Barnett bouncing now. Good exchange in the pocke by both guys. Barnett lands another knee up the middle. Cormier circles out of trouble. One-two-kick combo by Cormier. Leg kick Barnett. Barnett closes and clinches. Uppercut in tight by Cormier. He then leans in and punishes the body. Cormier snatches a single and puts Barnett on his back. Body-head by Cormier. Barnett retaliates with short elbows. Cormier postures and tries to create space to land. Barnett is tying him up, but Cormier gets free and lands a big elbow, then pours on some ground and pound. Barnett swings his hips and looks for an arm. Cormier recognizes the trouble and pulls out. Good work from the top. Barnett is bloodied from the elbows. Less than a minute to go. More grinding elbows from the top. Barnett is a bloody mess. Ground-and-pound from the top to finish the round. Round 2 goes to Cormier.

Round 3 – Touch of gloves to start the third. Barnett misses with his jab. They exchange again. Cormier is just faster in the pocket. Barnett clinches and looks for the takedown. Barnett drops for a single. Cormier shuts him down, gets double unders and circles out. Double jab from Cormier. Kick Barnett. To the body now. Jab Cormier. Barnett comes forward with a front kick. Cormier grabs a leg, goes to the high crotch and slams Barnett to the mat. Side control for Cormier now. Barnett gets his hips out and spins to his knees. Back to the feet. Barnett goes high with the kick. Stinging one-two from Cormier. Lunging lead left from Barnett misses. Double jab from Cormier. Cormier ducks in and eats a knee. He lets go of the leg. He fires off a high kick that staggers Barnett. Knees. He’s going for the kill. Barnett fires back and lands a big uppercut. Cormier spins to the back of Barnett. Suplex? Barnett walks to the cage and grabs it. Knees to the thigh from Cormier. End of the third. PMN scores it 10-9 for Cormier.

Round 4 – Barnett has to get to work. He comes forward with a kick. He’s stalking Cormier and he needs to if he has any chance to win. Cormier with head movement but it costs him as he leans into a knee. To the center of the cage now. Cormier showing patience now. He leads to the body and lands. Cormier circles out. Barnett comes forward with a left. Big exchange and it’s Cormier with an uppercut. Barnett with a knee on the break. Head kick by Cormier. Again. Wow. Flying knee as Barnett rushes forward. He has Cormier pressed into the cage. Cormier circles out and steps away. Barnett with a spinning back fist but he misses. Barnett with the one-two, but he misses with the right. Barnett times the takedown attempt and lands a knee but ends up on is back again. Barnett gets a leg and Cormier is in trouble. He spins out and pulls his leg free. Cormier now back in the full guard of a bloodied Barnett. Short, grinding elbow from the top. Barnett working to isolate an arm. He’s trying to rip it free for a kimura attempt. The referee steps in and restarts them for some reason. Cormier again leans to the right and eats a knee. Clinch on the cage. End of Round. PMN has Cormier pitching a shutout so far.

Round 5 – Both guys shake hands going into the fifth. Barnett needs a finish or he’s done. Kick to the body by Barnett. Push kick by Barnett. Again. Barnett with a flurry, but Cormier circles out of trouble. The bout is stopped after Cormier slips on some water. They get it cleaned up and we are back at it. Cormier with a lot of movement as he looks to avoid a stalking Barnett. Barnett closes and puts him on the cage. So far not a single takedown. Cormier has never been taken down and it doesn’t look like tonight will be the first time either. Back to the center of the cage. Cormier with another head kick. Barnett lands with a lead left hook. Three minutes to go. Cormier goes high again with the kick. Barnett with a kick and tries to advance but Cormier again gets on his wheels and circles off the cage. Inside leg kick by Barnett. Cormier switches stances and throws a right hand. Back to orthodox and he lands another right hand. Barnett goes for a spinning back fist. Cormier ducks it and gets a single. Barnett back on his feet. Cormier elevates him and it looks like another slam may be coming. No! Barnett keeps his balance. Cormier has him pressed into the cage with a minute to go. The referee calls for action. Barnett still has his back on the cage. Cormier content to stay right here and ride out the final 20 seconds. Do I really hear boos??? Amazing. They break. Barnett chases Cormier but time runs out. PMN scores it 50-45 for Cormier.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Daniel Cormier def. Josh Barnett by unanimous decision (49-46, 50-45, 50-45)