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[Cat--Smasher]

Strikeforce's Barnett to see orthopedist, manager says 'anything's possible' with UFC

Josh Barnett (31-6 MMA, 2-1 SF) immediately went to the hospital after a grueling five-round fight that saw Daniel Cormier (10-0 MMA, 7-0 SF) earn a unanimous-decision victory to win the Strikeforce world heavyweight grand prix.

Barnett broke his left hand in the first round of the fight and had it set in a splint by a doctor, who said it was not a "spiral" break, manager Leland LaBarre told MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com) early Sunday morning.

An orthopedist now will determine the extent of the damage, after which the fighter and his rep will decide what's next.

Barnett revealed the injury in his post-fight speech while praising Cormier's performance, which aired on Showtime as part of "Strikeforce: Heavyweight Grand Prix Final" from HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. LaBarre said his corner was unaware of it during the fight.

Asked whether a UFC crossover was possible – Cormier and Barnett are the sole heavyweights listed on the current Strikeforce roster – LaBarre said, "Due to extenuating circumstances, anything's possible." But he declined to reveal whether Barnett's contract allowed for a move.

"Per his contract, I think that [Strikeforce parent Zuffa] would happily find an opponent that makes the most sense," he said.

Barnett was in good spirits during his visit to the hospital, LaBarre said, and did not require a CT scan despite punishment that included a head kick and punches that left him woozy in the third round.

Strikeforce's Barnett to see orthopedist, manager says 'anything's possible' with UFC | MMAjunkie.com

[trustkill]

Barnett was in good spirits during his visit to the hospital, LaBarre said, and did not require a CT scan despite punishment that included a head kick and punches that left him woozy in the third round.

I was expecting a CT scan and an overnight visit for Barnett. That guy is tough as nails. Both him and DC did well to hide their injuries during the fight. I'd like to see him in the UFC against Struve or Werdum. I'd be juiced up to see Barnett vs Overeem too.

[trustkill]

Link: X-Ray Shows Break in Josh Barnett's Hand | MMAWeekly.com

30 seconds into last night’s Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix final, Josh Barnett knew something wasn’t right.

Technically, it was his left.

Barnett broke his hand punching opponent Daniel Cormier early in the first round and dealt with the pain and discomfort of the injury for the remainder of the 25-minute affair.

Ultimately, Barnett was defeated by Cormier by unanimous decision to claim the first and only Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix title.

On Sunday following the fight, Barnett sent out a picture of the X-Ray on Twitter of his broken hand that verified the injury once he visited his doctor.

The sting of defeat is a tough one to swallow, but the broken hand will surely serve as a reminder to Barnett for the next several weeks as he waits for it to heal so he can get back in action later this year.

The loss to Cormier was the first Barnett has suffered since a 2006 defeat at the hands of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira while fighting under the Pride banner in Japan.

Cormier also broke his hand during the fight with Barnett, but the San Jose based fighter will opt for surgery to repair the damage.

There’s been no word yet if Barnett will have to deal with any surgical procedure or just end up with a cast on his hands for several weeks.

That's a gnarly break.

[joeodd2]

Most guys would have given in while taking the beating he took, especially if they already had a broken hand.....I hope Barnett earned some respect from MMA fans with his performance....

[sikk]

I'm surprised Josh didn't utilize kicks more in the fight, he could have chopped Cormier down I think. I also wondered why Josh didn't utilize takedowns and grappling more but that was due to his hand being broken obviously. That's a nasty break too. Too bad I was hoping to see Josh sub Cormier but oh well.

[Pasha K]

That will take some time to heal

[MIZjitsZOU]

Originally Posted by sikk

I'm surprised Josh didn't utilize kicks more in the fight, he could have chopped Cormier down I think. I also wondered why Josh didn't utilize takedowns and grappling more but that was due to his hand being broken obviously. That's a nasty break too. Too bad I was hoping to see Josh sub Cormier but oh well.

Yeah it probably had nothing to do with the fact he was in there against a multi team olympian.

[Lazarus]

Originally Posted by trustkill

I was expecting a CT scan and an overnight visit for Barnett. That guy is tough as nails. Both him and DC did well to hide their injuries during the fight. I'd like to see him in the UFC against Struve or Werdum. I'd be juiced up to see Barnett vs Overeem too.

Ohhh the irony

[SimpleJack]

Originally Posted by trustkill

I was expecting a CT scan and an overnight visit for Barnett. That guy is tough as nails. Both him and DC did well to hide their injuries during the fight. I'd like to see him in the UFC against Struve or Werdum. I'd be juiced up to see Barnett vs Overeem too.

Cormier's injury was obvious. He got incredibly hesitant and both my wife and I noticed him favoring it. Josh just couldn't capitalize because Cormier had his WEIRDO style scouted perfectly (you know, the one where he tucks his chin into his left shoulder and looks at the floor as he disengages).