By Russell Cejas
The second installment of the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix is finally here. After a couple of location changes, a few date discrepancies, and a UFC buyout these four heavyweights are ready to battle. The talent in this pool of fighters is uncanny and despite the negative talk about Josh Barnett’s and Alistair Overeem’s drug policies these super fights bare a true resemblance to the UFC in its inception. The first two fights in this tournament were jaw dropping and June 18th will be no different.
Fabricio Werdum will face Alistair Overeem for a second time and former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett will do battle with the heavy handed Brett Rogers. These two fights will be just as exciting as the first two and no matter the outcome, Strikeforce has set up the brackets accordingly. To think that June 18th will still leave us with one more amazing heavyweight fight. Strikeforce got it right and although there future is uncertain we will always have this tournament to remember them by.
Josh Barnett (29-5) vs. Brett Rogers (11-2)
There is no doubt that Josh Barnett has had a dark cloud over his career. In his defense to not acknowledge his legitimacy as one of the best heavyweight fighters in the sport would be ignorant. He has beaten the best and fought the rest. With a total of five losses to three fighters, fans looking at his record will give him the benefit of the doubt and assume he will walk right through Brett Rogers. I’m sure Brett Rogers has one or two things to say about that. He is a huge guy with very scary boxing and as cliché goes “all fights start standing up,” Rogers does have a punchers chance. The Minnesota native knocked out everybody he fought until Fedor and Overeem came along. Will Josh Barnett’s overall skill and tenured venture into this sport be more than Brett Rogers brute strength and lethal hands can handle?
Russell’s Pick: Well, I predict the man to face Sergei Kharitonov in the next round will be, Josh Barnet via TKO.
Marcos’ Pick: I have heard stories that Rogers came in CSW when he was preparing for Fedor and got completely whopped in sparring by Barnett. Sparring is different from a fight but I think Barnett has extra confidence coming in, though Rogers has stronger hands. I would say Barnett via TKO on the ground.
Anton’s Pick: Simply put the only way I see Rogers winning this fight is by catching Barnett with a heavy shot. Barnett is the more skilled fighter in dang near every area. If Barnett is smart he takes this fight to the ground where his wrestling should be to much for Rogers. Barnett wins this fight by Rear Naked Choke Round 2.
Dustin’s Pick: Although Rogers possess the knockout power that can end a fight with a single punch. I think the Barnett is too much for Rogers and ends this fight via tko after he weathers the storm of Rogers. Barnett via TKO round one.
Alex’s Pick: Brett Rogers can bring the heat, we’ve seen it time and time again, but I honestly don’t see how he can win this fight. Barnett’s strength, wrestling, and superior ground game will aid him in getting the fight down early, leading to an early stoppage. Barnett via Rd 1 TKO
Fabricio Werdum (14-4-1) vs. Alistair Overeem (33-11-1)
This fight could not be hyped enough. These two fighters have fought before, they have fought the best and have both lost to Sergei Kharitonov who is obviously competing in this same tournament. Although Werdum has beaten the current champ, Overeem has gone on to fight sixteen more times, winning the prestigious K-1 tournament in the process. Needless to say, both fighters are at the top of their game and have come a long way since they first met in 2006. Werdum and Alistair’s agility and overall skill is usually unmatched by guys their size and all but the Nogueira brothers would say that they are the best in the world. There are twenty or so pounds and a couple of inches difference in weight and height between the two fighters and their strengths are very opposing. The only edge I see is a mental one. Werdum submitted Overeem in 2006 and is coming off of a win over Fedor Emelianenko. The last time Overeem fought anyone close to that level was in 2008 against Mirko Cro Cop. I would look for Overeem to use kicks and his long jab to avoid the take down. If and when it does go to the ground, Werdum will feel very comfortable but out strengthed.
Russell’s Pick: The man I predict to fight Antonio Silva in the next round of the tournament will be Fabricio Werdum via submission.
Marcos’ Pick: I Like Overeem in this re-match. I see him keeping the fight standing or in the clinch delivering knees.
Anton’s Pick: I just don’t see how Werdum wins this one, it has to go to the ground for Werdum to have the advantage. For the fight to get to the ground Werdum has to get within the striking of Overeem. If Werdum gets knocked down, I don’t see Overeem jumping into a ground fight with Werdum. My prediciton Overeem KO Round 1.
Dustin’s Pick: This is where the MMA community finds out if bigger is better. I think Wedum somehow gets this fight to the ground and submits Overeem in round two via arm bar.
Alex’s Pick: Alistair Overeem is on a streak that most MMA fighters can only dream and seems to be unstoppable. More likely than not, he will KO Werdum in 1st tomorrow… However, I can’t shake this feeling that Fabricio is going shock the MMA world once again. It may be foolish, but I’m going with my Big Country on this one. Werdum Rd 1 Submission.
