(Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
Alistair Overeem: 256lbs.
Fabricio Werdum: 246lbs.
Josh Barnett: 256lbs.
Brett Rogers: 258lbs.
Jorge Masvidal: 155lbs.
KJ Noons: 156lbs.
Daniel Cormier: 239.5lbs.
Jeff Monson: 234lbs.
Chad Griggs: 234lbs.
Valentijn Overeem: 234.5lbs. Continue reading »
(Video courtesy of Zuffa, LLC. and Showtime)
Power alone grants "The Grim" Brett Rogers (white trunks) an advantage in striking, but he will have to let his reach keep submission artist and seasoned veteran Josh Barnett at bay until he finds the opportunity to finish the fight. (Photo courtesy of Dave Mandel and Sherdog)
The same week they gain their first NBA title, Dallas, Texas is treated to MMA action courtesy of California-based mixed martial arts promotion Strikeforce presenting Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum where the quarter-finals of the Heavyweight Grand-Prix will continue. Kicking off the main card, “The Python” Valentijn Overeem (27-21) hopes to shut down the four-fight win streak of “The Grave Digger” Chad Griggs (9-1). Daniel Cormier (6-0) faces his greatest test to date when he takes on Jiu-Jitsu extraordinaire “The Snowman” Jeff Monson (37-11). Then the 155lb-ers break onto the scene when KJ Noons (9-3) and “Gamebred” Jorge Masvidal (19-6) take the cage front-and-center for a lightweight title contention bout. In continuance of the Heavyweight Grand Prix, “Vai Cavalo” Fabricio Werdum (14-4-1) battles with “Demolition Man” Alistair Overeem (31-13) and “The Grim” Brett Rogers (11-2) contends with “The Babyfaced Assassin” Josh Barnett (21-5). Rogers is known for letting his hands smash his way to victory while Barnett lets his submission grip lead him to success. The world-tested submission artist Barnett stands as a heavy favorite in the tournament but with the vile power in Rogers’ hands, either man can pull a fast one over the other en route to the semi-finals. Win or lose, fans in the Lone Star State and those watching at home are in for a treat. Continue reading »
KJ Noons (red gloves) is almost always the better stand-up fighter in his match-ups, but his lack of skill elsewhere allows the threat of other modes of attack to cripple his offense as it did against Nick Diaz. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
Dallas, Texas gets the honor of hosting the second installment of the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix quarter-finals as Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum comes to the Lone Star State’s third largest city this Saturday night. On the slate for the evening is the continuance of the Grand Prix with “The Demolition Man” Alistair Overeem (31-12) squaring off with “Vai Cavalo” Fabricio Werdum (14-4-1) and “The Babyfaced Assassin” Josh Barnett (21-5) stepping into the cage with and “The Grim” Brett Rogers (11-2). Also up for action are tournament alternate eliminator bouts featuring “The Python” Valentijn Overeem (27-21) against “The Grave Digger” Chad Griggs (9-1) and “The Snowman” Jeff Monson (37-11) vs. Daniel Cormier (6-0). As a result of “Conviction” Gina Carano (7-1) pulling out of her bout, KJ Noons (9-3) and “Gamebred” Jorge Masvidal (19-6) have found their lightweight title eliminator bout pushed up to the main card. While it lacks the name recognition of Carano, the bout is nevertheless a far more important bout int the big picture of Strikeforce as one-time title contender Noons looks to get his career back on track against a man who is looking to capitalize on a dark horse win. Continue reading »
Strikeforce heavyweight Daniel Cormier (gold trunks) is a truly talented blue chip prospect, but will his raw talent be any match for the finely honed skills of seasoned veteran Jeff Monson? (Photo courtesy of Esther Lin and Zuffa, LLC.)
Saturday, June 18, Strikeforce returns with the second installment of the first round of its Heavyweight Grand Prix as “The Demolition Man” Alistair Overeem (31-12) takes on “Vai Cavalo” Fabricio Werdum (14-4-1) and “The Grim” Brett Rogers (11-2) squares off with “The Babyfaced Assassin” Josh Barnett (21-5). The card is one of the better showings from Strikeforce in a long time, perhaps due to an influx of financial backing from Zuffa, and features several of the names that recently staked a claim in the California-based promotion. Among those names are former title challenger KJ Noons (9-3), “Gamebred” Jorge Masvidal (19-6), “The Python” Valentijn Overeem (27-21), and “The Grave Digger” Chad Griggs (9-1) as well as a bout between blue chip wrestler Daniel Cormier (6-0) and submission specialist “The Snowman” Jeff Monson (37-11). This last pairing is an excellent test of Cormier’s skills as “The Snowman” is not only a monster on the ground but is a battle tested veteran with more fights than all of Cormier’s previous opponents combined. Continue reading »
Heavyweight "Grave Digger" Chad Griggs (red trunks) has proven time and again that his power and severely underrated stand-up skills make him an extremely dangerous opponent as long as he is still conscious. (Photo courtesy of Dave Mandel and Sherdog)
The American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas shall host the second installment of the inaugural Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix less than one week after its home team the Dallas Mavericks toppled bitter rivals the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals. This Saturday, June 18, the Strikeforce Heavyweight Tournament resumes after a three-month break to bring its heavy hitting champion face-to-face yet again with his former foe and to wrap up the last of the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Quarter-Finals as well as bring some of its up-and-coming stars to the big stage. Strikeforce, DREAM and K-1 champion “The Demolition Man” Alistair Overeem (31-12) meets “Vai Cavalo” Fabricio Werdum (14-4) in a long awaited rematch that pits arguably the world’s best heavyweight striker against the world’s best heavyweight Jiu-Jitsu black belt. Former UFC Heavyweight Champion, PRIDE, and Sengoku stand-out “The Baby Faced Assassin” Josh Barnett (21-5) fights Chicago-born slugger ”The Grim” Brett Rogers (11-2) in the co-main event to determine which man moves on to the tournament semi-finals. The reemergence of “Conviction” Gina Carano (7-1), who was making her return to the cage against undefeated Sarah D’Alelio (3-0), has been pulled due to Carano not receiving medical clearance from her doctor and has been replaced by a previously scheduled prelim bout between former Elite XC Lightweight Champion KJ Noons (9-3) and “Gamebred” Jorge Masvidal (19-6). Opening up the main card though are a pair of tournament reservoir bouts with former UFC heavyweight title contender and American submission specialist “The Snowman” Jeff Monson (37-11) returning to the big leagues opposite the undefeated rising star Daniel Cormier (6-0), and IFL veteran and heavyweight dark horse “The Grave Digger” Chad Griggs (9-1) looking to continue his dominant win streak when he meets former PRIDE veteran and powerhouse “The Python” Valentijn Overeem (27-21). With the opportunity for either Griggs or Overeem to partake in one of Strikeforce’s most major events, both men have a lot to gain but even more to lose. Continue reading »
(Video courtesy of Affliction)
Former heavyweight champ "The Pitbull" Andrei Arlovski has had a storied career but is currently on the heels of four consecutive losses - three via knockout. Despite the concerns of trainers and doctors, Arlovski says he will not retire. (Photo courtesy of Sherdog)
“The Pitbull” Andrei Arlovski (14-9) is undoubtedly and by large considered one of the most skilled and dangerous heavyweight MMA fighters of all time. The 1st Razryad International Master in Sambo has seen a lot of glory in his 11-year mixed martial arts career, having been the Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion and later promoted to the undisputed UFC Heavyweight Champion, taking out some of the most formidable opponents in his weight class along the way. Some of those who have succumbed to Arlovski’s fighting prowess are “The Janitor” Vladimir Matyushenko (25-5), “Cabbage” Wesley Correira (19-15), “The Maine-Iac” Tim Sylvia (28-7), “The Executioner” Paul Buentello (28-13), “Vai Cavalo” Fabricio Werdum (14-4-1), “Irish” Jake O’Brien (13-3), “Big” Ben Rothwell (27-7), and “Big Country” Roy Nelson (15-5). “The Pitbull” has built an impressive legacy and all the while has maintained his status as a fan favorite. Continue reading »
Saturday, February 12. The night was chilly as usual but even another freezing night could not damper my mood as I drove towards East Rutherford, New Jersey and the start of the unprecedented (in the US at least) Heavyweight Grand Prix tournament being put together by Strikeforce. With so much emphasis put on the UFC, fans really had to be surprised to see the wealth of heavyweight talent amassed for this tournament. That I was witnessing the launch of such an historic MMA event left me quite gleeful. Of course events that unfolded would show that for Strikeforce no good deed goes unpunished. But we’ll get to that.
The IZOD Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey played host to Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva last Saturday night. (Photo courtesy of MeadowLands.com)
As I drove toward Lot 26 which is designated for the press and employees I stopped to ask every parking attendant where the lot was located and was instructed to just keep driving. When I finally circled the entire IZOD Center and came to my designated lot I made an ill advised, on-the-fly decision to not stop by the parking person manning this lot and a few seconds later felt like Billy Hayes in Midnight Express as my car was surrounded by several guys who looked as if they were competing in the evening’s Strikeforce Heavyweight Tournament or at least a local tough man contest. After the some venting of steam by guys whose mood was not enhanced by the freezing temps, I was finally able to spit out my name and ultimately allowed to proceed and park. So began my first sojourn as a credentialed press dignitary. I almost ended up buried with Jimmy Hoffa and other luminaries in the nearby meadowland swamps courtesy of Mo and the guys. Continue reading »
I gotta be honest with ya, icemigos, I dunno if I’m feeling up to this column this week. I know there’s maybe two or three of you that look forward to it but you want the snarky commentary. Y’know, the comedy gold. But that’s what I’m not feeling. I’ll try and soldier through. Just for you. Maybe it’s Fedor’s sad loss in the opening of Strikeforce’s Heavyweight Grand Prix this weekend and even sadder indication that he may retire following his second loss in a row. Maybe it’s the exceptional amount of douchebaggery that followed on Twitter. Or maybe I’m just feeling moody. Who knows?
I mean, yeah, even the best have to lose eventually but getting caught in an Arm Bar/Triangle Choke from a top level Jiu-Jitsu guy like Fabricio Werdum is one thing and getting an ass beating in what was, in my book, an 8/10 round is another. There was a lot of venom and vitriol back-and-forth amongst MMA fans following the loss. Some people seemed to think Fedor was always overrated – these people are clearly dumb. Some people followed the Dana White view that Fedor hasn’t been any good in years and M-1 was sure to coddle their cash cow by giving him easy opponents that had big names but were comfortably past their prime – Tim Sylvia and Andrei Arlovski. Maybe, but at the point Fedor fought them, both guys were only at the beginning of their decline. They were still dangerous guys who were much bigger than Fedor. So, I know you’re thinking “Ice, my main man, please tell us… what IS the truth?! What happened to Fedor? Why? Good God, man! WHY!?” Okay. I will tell you… because I love you and you need to know. You all need to know. So, listen up. Continue reading »
"Bigfoot" Antonio Silva (top) upset the MMA world last night when he battered and finished "The Last Emperor" Fedor Emelianenko (bottom) in two rounds. (Photo courtesy of Dave Mandel and Sherdog)
The MMA world has been ablaze since the end of 2010 when Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker announced the organization’s upcoming eight-man single-elimination tournament, dubbed the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix, which was slated to include some of the biggest names in the heavyweight division signed on as competitors. Last night the San Jose-based mixed martial arts promotion kicked off that tournament, as the main card of its “Fedor vs. Silva” event, with two Quarter-Finals match-ups and two alternate qualifying bouts. It was an amazing night of fights, culminating with a fight between “Bigfoot” Antonio Silva (15-2 ) and “The Last Emperor” Fedor Emelianenko (31-3). Continue reading »
Antonio Silva (right) was by far the biggest winner in last night's Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva card, TKOing top heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko (left) in the main event. (Photo courtesy of Esther Lin and Strikeforce)
Strikeforce launched its World Heavyweight Grand Prix last night to the eager cheers of one of the largest crowds it has ever hosted. The night was filled with exciting barn burners including a main card that opened with four straight first round finishes and ended with what many are viewing as the biggest upset in modern MMA history. As a whole the card was an overwhelming success and did its job of hyping the casual fan base for the Strikeforce World Heavyweight Grand Prix magnificently. It brought all the ingredients of a fan pleasing MMA production to the table with big names against big underdogs, fast paced casual fan-friendly brawls, bouts which displayed that higher level of technical precision that awes the pundits, big finishes and even bigger upsets. However, it is not all wine and roses for the San Jose-based promotion. One of their biggest drawing fighters announced his potential retirement after being knocked out of the tournament along with another fan favorite, there were a few close calls from the referees that could have easily caused a controversy, and their commentary was even more painful than usual. There are always ups and downs with every fight, so to help sort them out MMA Gospel presents The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. Continue reading »
Fan favorite "The Last Emperor" Fedor Emelianenko suffered a shocking defeat in tonight's Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix. He was battered by his opponent Antonio Silva for almost two entire rounds before the ringside doctor called a stop to the fight. Afterward, Fedor announced that he may be hanging up his 4oz. gloves for good. (Photo courtesy of Tracy Lee and Yahoo! Sports)
One of the most highly anticipated cards of the year has come and gone – more quickly than some expected, and in a very different manner than most expected.
In tonight’s premier installment of the two-part Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Quarter-Finals, four men stepped into the six-sided cage with the hopes of advancing to the Semi-Finals of the promotion’s inaugural heavyweight tournament. In the co-main event, the first of the pairings saw PRIDE veteran and dangerous kickboxer “The Russian Mercenary” Sergei Kharitonov (17-4) taking on Sambo master and former UFC Heavyweight Champion “The Pitbull” Andrei Arlovski (14-9). The Belarusian exhibited more than a glimmer of his old self coming out of the gate, instantly putting the pressure on his opponent, and out-striking Kharitonov with precision jabs, uppercuts, and leg kicks. Things were really looking up for the formerly top 10 ranked heavyweight, but unfortunately it didn’t last long. Arlovski allowed himself to be backed toward the cage, where he quickly became at the mercy of Kharitonov’s own brand of stellar striking. It took only a few well-placed punches until Arlovski found himself in the same place as two of his last three fights: on the canvas, out cold. “The Pitbull” is out of the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix, and Sergei Kharitonov advances to the Semi-Finals. Continue reading »
(Photo courtesy of Strikeforce and Showtime MMA)
—MAIN EVENT (Heavyweight Grand Prix Quarter-Final Match, on Showtime)—
Fedor Emelianenko vs. Antonio Silva: Silva via TKO (Doctor Stoppage), Round 2, 5:00
—CO-MAIN EVENT (Heavyweight Grand Prix Quarter-Final Match, on Showtime)—
Andrei Arlovski vs. Sergei Kharitonov: Kharitonov via KO, Round 1, 2:49
—MAIN CARD (Heavyweight Grand Prix Reserve Bouts, on Showtime)—
Shane del Rosario vs. Lavar Johnson: del Rosario via Submission (Armbar), Round 1, 4:31
Valentijn Overeem vs. Ray Sefo: Overeem via Submission (Neck Crank), Round 1, 1:37
Chad Griggs vs. Gian Villante: Griggs via TKO (Punches), Round 1, 2:49
—PRELIMINARIES (HDNet)—
John Cholish vs. Marc Stevens: Cholish via Submission (Kneebar), Round 2, 3:57
Josh LaBerge vs. Anthony Leone: LaBerge via TKO (Doctor Stoppage), Round 1, 5:00
Jason McLean vs. Kevin Roddy: McLean via Split Decision, Round 3, 5:00
Igor Gracie vs. John Salgado: Gracie via Submission (Arm Triangle Choke), Round 2, 3:04
Don Carlo-Clauss vs. Sam Oropeza: Oropeza via TKO (Punches), Round 1, 4:10