Dion Staring vs Daniel Cormier. No pressure vs Momentum.

To start off, this is a pretty surprising matchup. Daniel Cormier, the freight train that keeps on wrecking anyone in his way, is more than ready to enter the top of the UFC. What is he still doing in Strikeforce? Contract issues force him, we know that. But common sense tells us this actually is not how it's supposed to be. Beating names like Josh Barnett and Bigfoot Silva must prove enough. 
Cormier is just a big dog seperated from the others, but ready to 'play' with them. Of course the top of the UFC offers him a lot of challenge and threats, but it is to say that he belongs there. Nothing left in Strikeforce for him.

Than all for sudden: a new fight. The last Strikeforce fight. Against Dion Staring, a well known name in Holland and Europe, in the States probably a new one. 
Dion Staring is an experienced fighter who used to train at Golden Glory, Hollands biggest 'champions-producing' MMA team. Martijn de Jong as the main trainer of Golden Glory raised talents as Alistair Overeem, Siyar Bahadurzada, Marloes Coenen and many (upcoming) more. Dion Staring trained along these big dogs, but also with kickbox superstars as Semmy Schilt, Gökhan Saki, Nieky Holzken and many more. Dion now trains with the Blackzilians and is really improving his technique, stamina and routine with big names and fighters, not to forget he now trains with high class wrestlers. Holland definitely lacks high class wrestlers. A lot to improve on that area.

Who will win this fight?

In MMA it's always impossible to predict the outcome of a fight. Anything can happen anytime, the craziest comebacks have been displayed, especially the last couple of years.
On paper, Daniel Cormier will wipe the cage floor clean with Dion Staring and that's what makes it interesting in this case. Staring knows this and so does Cormier. Staring has in fact nothing to lose because his career so far hasn't been at the level he is fighting this fight now. Cormier however fights a 'no name' in United States' definition. The pressure is all on him. This should benefit Dion. At the weigh-ins, the staredown showed that he was motivated to beat up Cormier bad. He also weighed 10 pounds heavier than Cormier. 
However, the outcome of this fight will probably depend on the gameplan of Cormier. With his worldclass wrestling he is always able to keep his defence and force a takedown on Staring. If he will focus on this, and doesn't get tempted to play the standup game with Staring, he must certainly be able to pull off a descision win. If he doesn't, and goes for 'stand and banging', he still has a big right hand, but don't forget that Staring knows what to do here and is used to the baddest strikers in the world. Staring might connect unexpected here and than the wrestling becomes of no use. That probably is what Staring is going to do. He has no business in the wrestling game with Cormier, so he will go striking for sure. 

So where is the pressure? Indeed on Cormier. Careerwise, and gameplan wise. A lot to lose for Cormier, a lot to gain for Staring. Is Cormier a smart enough fighter to resist striking temptations? That's the test here for him.

            
                                                                                                            (mmacrypt.com)