CINCINNATI -- In preparation for the semifinals of the Strikeforce heavyweight grand prix, the promotion's top fighters held court with media at the U.S. Bank Area. Here's what you need to know:
-- The start time is at 10:30 p.m. ET because of a documentary airing on Saturday night. Called "The Love We Make," it's a documentary about a show that Paul McCartney put together right after September 11. Strikeforce's bouts will start after that.
-- Daniel Cormier was added to the GP after Alistair Overeem -- who is now signed with the UFC -- dropped out of the tourney. Cormier isn't concerned about being a replacement adding extra pressure because he already puts pressure on himself.
"It's not that big of a deal to me. Pressure would be only if I didn't put high expectations on myself. I put enough pressure on myself to begin with, so being in this tournament could not add anything more."
He also said he was surprised that Overeem, or anyone would drop out of the tournament because it was such a good opportunity.
-- Mo Lawal said that he has been ready since January, but hasn't been able to get a fight until now. Though all of the major MMA media outlets were there, Lawal was disappointed in the turnout at the press conference.
"I was hoping there would be more media. More questions. Roger and me are going to put on a good fight, but everyone's going to miss it because they're worried about other issues."
-- Roger Gracie is known for his ground game, as he is a highly accomplished jiu-jitsu player. But with Lawal's world class wrestling background, Gracie may not be able to control where the bout will take place.
"It's hard to predict. Mo Lawal is a great wrestler. We'll just have to see and be prepared for everything. He's a good striker but an unbelievable wrestler. You try to plan a strategy, but you have to be prepared for everything," Gracie said.
Quoteworthy:
"It'll be a main-event worthy fight. I know he's going to bring a never-say-die attitude. It'll be a good tussle. I think we're going to finish one another. No decisions here." -- Josh Barnett, on his Grand Prix bout with Sergei Kharitonov.
"Josh said that he and Sergei were going to finish their fight. Just to put it out there, I'm fine winning the decision." -- Daniel Cormier
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