Ray Sefo (white trunks) brings world class kickboxing, but little else, to the table in his Strikeforce bout against Valentijn Overeem this Saturday night. (Photo courtesy of Micah Hamilton and Sherdog)
The International Sport Karate Association (ISKA) sanctioned state of New Jersey will host the inaugural of the Strikeforce Heavyweight Tournament on Saturday night as “The Last Emperor” Fedor Emelianenko (31-2) faces off with “Bigfoot” Antonio Silva (14-2) and the former king of the UFC heavyweight division “The Pitbull” Andrei Arlovski (14-8) takes on dangerous kickboxer Sergei Kharitonov (16-4). In addition to the Heavyweight Grand Prix, the main card features a host of journeyman fighters taking part in the tournament’s reserve bouts – which will determine the alternates in the event that any of the eight original contestants are unable to compete for one reason or another – including Shane del Rosario (8-0), “Big” Lavar Johnson (13-3), Gian Villante (7-1), and Chad Griggs (8-1). Also of interest to the hardcore PRIDE fans of the MMA world, the older brother of superstar heavyweight “The Demolition Man” Alistair Overeem (30-12), “The Python” Valentijn Overeem (26-21) returns to the ring after a two year lay-off to battle five-time World Muay Thai Champion and eight-time K-1 Grand Prix finalist “Sugarfoot” Ray Sefo (2-0). Despite it holding little to no implications for the Strikeforce heavyweight division, as both men are largely considered to be beyond their respective prime, the match is an excellent bout to open the card for casual fans, as it will be a high paced stand-up affair. Continue reading »
