Two generations of the MMA world will collide in the heavyweight division, as Strikeforce rising star Daniel Cormier (7-0) faces his toughest test to date in the shape of Jeff ‘The Snowman’ Monson (42-11).
With a so far unblemished record, Cormier has demonstrated the kind of elite wrestling that has brought success for his American Kickboxing Academy stable mates UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez, Jon Fitch and Josh Koscheck. In fact he is such a wrestling machine that he indeed coaches this elite posse of MMA standouts in what is the most crucial aspect of the sport.
Coming in as a replacement for original opponent and fellow up-and-comer Shane Del Rosario (after he was unfortunately injured in a car crash) is the dangerous and always game, Jeff Monson. The grizzled warrior made his debut way back in 1997 and is a veteran of over fifty fights which have taken place all over the world in every organization worth either mentioning or forgetting, yet surprisingly, only now does he make his debut under the Strikeforce banner.
Since making his entrance in the Strikeforce challengers’ series back in 2009 (with a TKO victory over Gary Frazier), undefeated heavyweight prospect Daniel Cormier has continued to perpetuate the trend that the transition from wrestling to mixed martial arts is perhaps the most seamless. The two time Olympian freestyle wrestler and captain (who was unable to compete at the games due to a serious kidney problem) has used this excellent grounding to make sure his fights take place in the areas in which he most excels, going on to stifle his opponents, secure takedowns, and dominate with powerful strikes from the top position.
Monson, the man charged with trying to dislodge the unbeaten Cormier is himself riding an eight fight win streak coming into this bout, and is a vastly experienced grappler and competitor. An ADCC Submission Wrestling World Champion, he has previously challenged Tim Sylvia for the UFC heavyweight title, holds a submission victory over current Strikeforce GP semi finalist Sergei Kharitonov, and has the bittersweet honor of being the last man to compete in the now collapsed Pride FC (choking out Japanese MMA hero Kazayuki Fujita in the process).
Monson who trains out of American Top Team, is a fantastic submission wrestler, who always looks to tie up his opponents as quickly as possible, but in light of Cormier’s exceptional freestyle wrestling pedigree he may feel that, for the beginning of this contest at least, he would be best suited by using his vast experience to keep his younger opponent at bay with his strikes, before trying to bring the fight to the ground, and into deeper waters where MMA novice Cormier remains largely untested.
Look for the impressive newcomer Cormier to perhaps start a little more cautiously in light of the level of opponent he now faces, before again timing an explosive takedown to perfection, and letting his hands get to work with punishing strikes to try to melt ‘The Snowman’s’ formidable resistance. However, he will have to remain mindful in the scramble to secure his top game, as he cannot allow his tattoo laden foe to wind up in half guard or worse still, get his back, where he has proven to be lethal in the past.
This is quite a step up in class for Cormier and will help determine where the MMA rookie stands on a list of formidable Strikeforce heavyweights, and also whether Monson is still relevant at this level.
The size discrepancy between them is by no means huge and I believe ‘The Anarchist’ Monson will show no fear in going for the takedown regardless of Cormier’s starry Olympic background, but this bullish approach could be his downfall, with Cormier using his masterful wrestling to edge out a close but decisive victory.
Prediction: Daniel Cormier by unanimous decision
