Above is the audio for today's Strikeforce: Heavyweight Grand Prix Semifinals. In addition to my write-up of the event, be sure to read what the good folks over at Bloody Elbow produced. It's also a partial transcript of what Josh Barnett, Sergei Kharitonov and Scott Coker had to say.
Notably, the lion's share of questions went to Cormier. This event has turned into something of The Daniel Cormier Show, which is both a boon for Cormier's career and also a tacit recognition the star power of this card has faded considerably. It's not a knock on Cormier, who is both a talented prospect and potential star in the sport. It's that Cormier is largely unknown to casual fans and of the fighters who were most well-known heading into tournament, only one remains.
Still, in terms of credibility and earning fights against better known heavyweight figures, Cormier is on the cusk of the most important mixed martial arts career opportunity to date. It's a dramatic step up in competition that carries significant risk, but the reward is also exceedingly high.