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“Strikeforce HW GP Semifinals: Barnett vs. Kharitonov” Post-Fight Press Conference Notes | 5thRound.com

“Strikeforce HW GP Semifinals: Barnett vs. Kharitonov” took place Saturday night inside the U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio. Unfortunately for fight fans, Strikeforce doesn’t offer a live stream of their post-fight press conferences. No worries, because we’ve got the presser’s key points to ensure you’re in the know.

• Although Luke Rockhold is Strikeforce’s new middleweight champ, he’s not looking forward to training for more five round affairs.
  
• Rockhold said he felt good about the controversial decision. He believes he came back strong and won most of the rounds.
  
• He said Cung Le is his friend and he wouldn’t fight him (Not a problem because Le appears headed to the Octagon).
  
• Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza thought it was a close fight. He felt he might have won, but is satisfied because it was a great fight.
  
• Patrick Healy was grateful to be on the card and wanted to capitalize on the opportunity.
  
• Daniel Cormier believes he hurt his right hand the first time he knocked Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva down.
  
• Cormier thought the right uppercut did the trick on Bigfoot, but he wasn’t going to stop hitting him until the referee stepped in.
  
• Josh Barnett stated Sergei Kharitonov didn’t do much damage at the beginning of the fight, even though it looked like he did.
  
• Barnett admitted he likes getting hit a little bit. He enjoys the violence and the pain.
  
• He said he’s going to have to get takedowns against Cormier in the tournament’s final round.
  
• Cormier quickly chimed in, “Not going to happen.”
  
• Scott Coker (Pictured) didn’t reveal the official night’s attendance, which some have unofficially estimated to be under 1,800, but admitted ticket sales were rough.
  
• Coker said they will have internal discussions regarding a rematch between Rockhold and Jacare.
  
• He confirmed Strikeforce’s next major show will be December 17th. Location TBD.
  
• Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal reiterated that he won’t fight for a vacated title. If he can’t get light heavyweight champ Dan Henderson, then wants to rematch Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante.
  
• According to Coker, they are still negotiating with Hendo.
  
• Barnett pleaded with Coker to anoint the Heavyweight Grand Prix winner as Strikeforce’s new 265-pound champion. He professed the division needed a real champ now that Alistair Overeem is gone.
  
• Coker said he’ll get back to Barnett on it. He claimed anything can happen in a tournament and they’ll take it one step at a time.