Strikeforce's 2011 Heavyweight Grand-Prix

[Luke]

And here I spent my days thinking the closest we would ever get to the Strikeforce Heavyweight GP would be on Sunday Night Fights. I'm glad I was wrong as usual, it turns out TATAME has the details regarding the long rumored Strikeforce heavyweight GP. So just what is happening with the nuclear stockpile of heavyweights Strikeforce has been amassing? Take a load off, its Sunday, I'm losing in fantasy football so let me break it down for you.

It looks like Fedor/Bigfoot is going to be the opening quarterfinal match in February 2011. I still stand by Fedor fighting at the Arnolds in March, but for now, Fedor and Bigfoot Silva are touching gloves this Black History Month. The other quarterfinal bouts are shaping up to be Werdum/Kharitonov which will go down in March. It's nice to finally see Kharitonov back in action. Rogers vs. Barnett will be added to a card that definitely wont take place in California. And finally, The Reem will take on Arvloski in a match that could have theoretically happened in the 2010 K-1 GP. TATAME is also reporting that the tourney will be divided into three stages: quarterfinal, semifinal and finals for the two of you who don't know how a tournament is structured, and starting with the semifinals, all of this will be broadcast on PPV.

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[Mr. IWS]

Noice!

[poopoo333]

I have my doubts that this will go through, but I am hoping the bracket is set up so Fedor/Silva and Werdum/Overeem winners fight each other.

inb4 Silva vs Werdum

[MMA_scientist]

I would love it of the expanded it to include Cormier and Sylvia.

Cormier is going to be champ at some point.

[poopoo333]

Seriously though, Barnett will fuck this up. He hasn't been cleared yet, and when he does he will probably just fail another drug test. Hopefully they have Del Rosario, Cormier, Johnson, or maybe even Sylvia to be a back up for this.

[MMA_scientist]

I hope they are on opposite sides of the bracket. While I live Werdum and hope he wins, any one of the guys in the tourney could beat him, he won't make it to the finals. I would like to see Overeem/Fedor final. I would also like to see Arlovski/Fedor again. IMOm Barnett will make the final if he doesn't have to fight Overeem.

[edman5555]

I give Overeem the edge against Werdum. From what I read he was dominating in the first fight before Werdum subbed him. He is just so god damn big and hits so god damn hard. I'd like to see Fedor Vs Overeem in the finals as well. Only because I would like to bet a shitload of money on Reem. I bet I could get him at Udog odds.

[MMA_scientist]

I give Overeem the edge against Werdum. From what I read he was dominating in the first fight before Werdum subbed him. He is just so god damn big and hits so god damn hard. I'd like to see Fedor Vs Overeem in the finals as well. Only because I would like to bet a shitload of money on Reem. I bet I could get him at Udog odds.

I think Overeem would probably beat Werdum this time around as well. Honestly, any fighter in the tourney COULD beat Werdum on any given night. I think he could beat anyone, but his style just doesn't lend itself to beating a variety of styles.

I think Fedor would beat Overeem though. I wouldn't be shocked if Barnett won the whole thing either. Arlovski is done overall, but could knock someone off too.

[Luke]

I think Overeem would probably beat Werdum this time around as well. Honestly, any fighter in the tourney COULD beat Werdum on any given night. I think he could beat anyone, but his style just doesn't lend itself to beating a variety of styles.

I think Fedor would beat Overeem though. I wouldn't be shocked if Barnett won the whole thing either. Arlovski is done overall, but could knock someone off too.

Barnett ? Seriously?

[MMA_scientist]

Barnett ? Seriously?

I can't stand Barnett, he is fuckn tool IMO. But he is pretty damn good. And he has a style that I could see winning a grandprix. He is well rounded: good enough striking to beat most of the guys, strong takedowns, good submissions. He can use his ground game to beat Overeem, use his top control to beat Fedor, and use his striking to beat Werdum.

Not saying he will win it, but it is totally viable. Whereas a guy like Werdum, he pretty much has to take these guys down to beat them. He can do it to several of them, but I think he could easily get knocked out by Fedor, Overeem, Rogers (Arlovski already stuffed his takedowns once), and Bigfoot nearly beat him in round 1 of thier 1st fight.

I just think a style to win a tourney is different than a style to win a selected opponent. You have to either be able to impose your game on everyone by being the best wrestler, or be very well rounded.

[Mr. IWS]

Cant wait to see how if after Fedor wins, M1 wants to renegotiate the deal they just signed.

[edman5555]

Yeah M1 is ridiculous and I am legitimately at the point where I don't really care what Fedor does. I used to follow it almost daily. I don't believe he can run the gauntlet and beat everyone.

[Luke]

^^^^^^^^ So we're looking at a Barnett -Fedor or Overeem-Barnett final ?



Wonder if any books will put up odds for the winner of the tourney?

[poopoo333]

They should take Rogers out and replace him with Cormier or Timmeh.

[Luke]

Shane Del Rosario fights Lavar Johnson on Feb. 12 in an alternate Strikeforce heavyweight tournament fight. Will be on the televised card

Ray Sefo vs. Valentijn Overeem verbally agreed for Feb. 12 SF.

..

[poopoo333]

SDR and Johnson?! I can't wait for that shit

[poopoo333]

I just read that they are trying to set up Kyle/Mousasi for the February card as well.

[edman5555]

Barnett should beat Rogers. I don't know who wins between Arlovski and Sergei. Barnett has a good chance of beating either one of them. Hopefully Fedor beats Silva. Don't forget the size difference and the fact that Silva is pretty decent. If he can take Fedor down he might be able to pound him out. I am sure he can defend subs well enough, he is a black belt. Whatever happens, I hope Overeem wins. I know he would crush Giant Silva and I think he would crush Fedor. I would bet both pretty hard.

I don't see what advantages you think Fedor holds. Honestly I think he gets crushed or he lands a lucky punch.

[Mr. IWS]

After seeing the way Silva got dropped by Kyle, I can see Fedor Knocking him out early.

[poopoo333]

Yeah I am concerned Bigfoot will use his size and keep Fedor up against the cage/get takedowns and stay there