By Chris Howie
MMANEWS.COM Staff Writer

Josh Barnett and Daniel Cormier both advanced to the finals of the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix tonight in impressive fashion, each stopping their opponents in the first round.

Barnett took a few stiff punches from Sergei Kharitonov early on before taking the fight to the mat and submitting the Russian with an arm triangle choke.

Cormier put on one of the most impressive heavyweight displays in some time en route to securing his spot in the finals. Cormier knocked out Antonio Silva after stepping in as a replacement for Alistair Overeem.

Josh Barnett defeats Sergei Kharitonov via Submission (Arm-Triangle) Round 1
Daniel Cormier defeats Antonio Silva via TKO (Strikes) Round 1
Luke Rockhold defeats Ronaldo Souza via Unanimous Decision
Muhammed Lawal defeats Roger Gracie via TKO (Strikes) Round 1
Pat Healy defeats Maximo Blanco via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) Round 2

Preliminary Card (Televised on HDNet)

Mike Kyle def Marcos Rogerio de Lima via unanimous decision
Rafael Cavalcante def Yoel Romero via TKO (strikes) at 4:51 of round two
Jordan Mein def Evangelista Santos via TKO (strikes) at 3:18 of round three
Alexis Davis def Amanda Nunes via TKO (strikes) at 4:53 of round two
Dominique Steele def Chris Mierzwiak via unanimous decision

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