The major news since the turn of the year is the announcement that Strikeforce intend on holding a heavyweight grand prix tournament kicking off on February 12th in East Rutherford, New Jersey with two massive fights. But considering the way the drawing has been done and who could meet who in the semi-finals, we’d like to ask you who you think will win the tournament?
Fedor Emelianenko:
Fedor was last seen in action in June, losing out to Fabricio Werdum via triangle choke in the very first round. Prior to that he’d posted wins over the likes of Tim Sylvia, Andrei Arlovski and Brett Rogers, all via TKO.
Antonio “Big Foot” Silva:
Silva rebounded from a defeat at the hands of Werdum by picking up a win over Arlovski himself. He was due to face Valentjin Overeem earlier this month but wound up facing Mike Kyle instead, a fight he won via TKO in the second round.
Alistair Overeem:
Overeem was last seen in action on New Year’s Eve, dominating former UFC prospect, Todd Duffee in the first twenty seconds to win via TKO. Prior to that he’d won an eight man-one night tournament to capture the K-1 World Grand Prix Finals.
Fabricio Werdum:
Werdum is coming off that shock first round submission win over formerly ranked number one fighter in the world, Fedor Emelianenko. Prior to that he’d beaten Mike Kyle and former EliteXC heavyweight champion, Antonio “Big Foot” Silva.
Brett Rogers:
Rogers slumped to a two-fight losing streak after taking on Fedor Emelianenko and Alistair Overeem in back-to-back fights inside the cage. He recently got back to winning ways on the local circuit with a unanimous decision win over Ruben Villareal.
Josh Barnett:
Barnett is still locked in battle with the California State Athletic Commission over his licence to fight in the state but is cleared to fight in New Jersey. He enters this one on a six-fight winning streak including wins over veteran pair, Jeff Monson and Pedro Rizzo.
Andrei Arlovski:
“The Pitbull” is on a three-fight losing streak despite being one of the most popular fighters on the circuit in the heavyweight division. Losses to Fedor Emelianenko, Brett Rogers and Fabricio Werdum seem to have tamed the once feared striker.
Sergei Kharitonov:
Kharitonov is the last man to defeat current Strikeforce heavyweight champion, Alistair Overeem in a mixed martial arts fight. He’s lost only once in his last five fights, which came at the hands of Jeff Monson back in April 2009.
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