Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva Quick Results

 Posted by at 9:45 PM  MMA News, Strikeforce  No Responses »
Feb 122011
 

(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

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Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva Pre-Fight Breakdown: Fedor Emelianenko vs. Antonio Silva

 Posted by at 10:41 PM  MMA News, Strikeforce  1 Response »
Feb 112011
 

Russian Sambo Champion "The Last Emperor" Fedor Emelianenko (left) is considered by many in the MMA community to be a shoe-in for the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix championship. Tomorrow night, he competes in a quarter-final match-up against "Bigfoot" Antonio Silva. (Photo courtesy of Yarennoka)

With UFC 126 in the books and another chapter in NFL Super Bowl history cemented, February is continuing to prove to be a hot month for sports. This time Strikeforce claims their stake in the heat of action with one of the most highly anticipated events when they kick off the Heavyweight Grand Prix. In the heavyweight reserve bouts, Muay Thai practitioners “The Python” Valentijn Overeem (26-21) and “Sugarfoot” Ray Sefo (2-1) begin the night,  IFL veteran “The Grave Digger” Chad Griggs (8-1) and former NFL prospect Gian Villante (7-1) are paired together, and the undefeated Shane del Rosario (8-0) meets knockout artist “Big” Lavar Johnson (13-3). In the co-main event, former UFC Heavyweight Champion “The Pitbull” Andrei Arlovski (14-8) hopes to get back on the winning side of competition when he welcomes PRIDE veteran Sergei Kharitonov (16-4) to Strikeforce in the first round of the Heavyweight Grand Prix tournament. In the second quarter-final match and main event, “Bigfoot” Antonio Silva (14-2)  takes on one of the most beloved fighters across the world, “The Last Emperor” Fedor Emelianenko (31-2).  February might be the shortest month of the year, but with this latest showcase by Strikeforce, it is holding true that big things do come in small packages. Continue reading »

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Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva Pre-Fight Breakdown: Andrei Arlovski vs. Sergei Kharitonov

 Posted by at 10:13 PM  MMA News, Strikeforce  1 Response »
Feb 112011
 

Andrei Arlovski (black trunks) has a more well rounded and refined game than his opponent, however, his inability to take a punch may be too great a weakness to overcome.(Photo courtesy of Dave Mandel and Sherdog)

Strikeforce will arrive in New Jersey for the first time tomorrow night in a big way as it brings the MMA hungry fans of the Northeast the opening card of its Heavyweight Grand Prix. In the two main event tournament battles, preceded by the likes of “Big” Lavar Johnson (13-3), Shane del Rosario (8-0), Gian Villante (7-1), “The Grave Digger” Chad Griggs (8-1), “The Python” Valentijn Overeem (26-21), and “Sugarfoot” Ray Sefo (2-0), Russian phenom “The Last Emperor” Fedor Emelianenko (31-2) will trade leather with “Bigfoot” Antonio Silva (14-2) and the former UFC Heavyweight Champion “The Pitbull” Andrei Arlovski (14-8) will step into the cage with PRIDE stand-out Sergei Kharitonov (16-4). The latter of these Heavyweight Grand Prix matches contains two of the tournament’s biggest dark horse entrants as either man has the skill to carry himself through the finals but each also lacks in a key area that leaves many fans counting them out. Continue reading »

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Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva Weigh-In Results

 Posted by at 7:49 PM  MMA News, Strikeforce  1 Response »
Feb 112011
 

Fedor Emelianenko (left) and Antonio Silva (right), two of the world's best heavyweights, will square off tomorrow in the first installment of the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix. (Photo courtesy of Esther Lin and Strikeforce)

—MAIN EVENT (Heavyweight Grand Prix Quarter-Final Match, on Showtime)—
265 lbs.: Fedor Emelianenko (230) vs. Antonio Silva (264)

—CO-MAIN EVENT (Heavyweight Grand Prix Quarter-Final Match, on Showtime)—
265 lbs.: Andrei Arlovski (242) vs. Sergei Kharitonov (250)

—MAIN CARD (Heavyweight Grand Prix Reserve Bouts, on Showtime)—
265 lbs.: Shane del Rosario (248) vs. Lavar Johnson (243)
265 lbs.: Valentijn Overeem (239) vs. Ray Sefo (249)
265 lbs.: Chad Griggs (229) vs. Gian Villante (227)

—PRELIMINARIES (Un-aired)—
155 lbs.: John Cholish (155.75) vs. Marc Stevens (156.5)*
145 lbs.: Josh LaBerge (145.75) vs. Anthony Leone (146.2)**
145 lbs.: Jason McLean (145.5) vs. Kevin Roddy (145.75)
170 lbs.: Igor Gracie (170.75) vs. John Salgado (170)
170 lbs.: Don Carlo-Clauss (170.4) vs. Sam Oropeza (169.75)

* Marc Stevens weighed one-half pound over the limit, but John Cholish decided to accept the match-up
** Anthony Leone has one hour to lose the remaining two-tenths of a pound

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Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva Pre-Fight Breakdown: Shane del Rosario vs. Lavar Johnson

 Posted by at 5:56 PM  MMA News, Strikeforce  3 Responses »
Feb 102011
 

Undefeated Shane del Rosario (white trunks) will have a more varied and complete fight game than his opponent "Big" Lavar Johnson, but will it be enough to win a spot as an alternate in the Grand Prix? (Photo courtesy of Dave Mandel and Sherdog)

The time has finally come. The MMA community has been abuzz ever since the announcement of the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix, and come Saturday, the wait is finally over. While the fight that is getting the most attention, and rightfully so is “The Last Emperor” Fedor Emelianenko (31-2) taking on “Bigfoot” Antonio Silva (14-2), there are plenty of other dynamic and showy fighters on the card including the likes of “The Pitbull” Andrei Arlovski (14-8), Sergei Kharitonov (16-4), “The Python” Valentijn Overeem (26-21), “Sugarfoot” Ray Sefo (2-1),“The Grave Digger” Chad Griggs  (8-1), and Gian Villante (7-1). In one bout of particular interest to the tournament competitors, “Big” Lavar Johnson (13-3) will be facing Shane del Rosario (8-0) in a battle of capable heavyweights competing in an alternate match for the Grand Prix.  Shane has eight wins in as many attempts in his career and has only ventured into the second round one time.  That’s a pretty impressive rate of early finishes for the polished del Rosario who trains with Team Oyama in California.  Lavar Johnson received a lot of press after being a victim a shooting at a family reunion in the summer of 2009.  Lavar was struck twice – once in the chest and once in the abdomen – but recuperated and enters this fight on the heels of a seven fight win streak. Continue reading »

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Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva Pre-Fight Breakdown: Chad Griggs vs. Gian Villante

 Posted by at 7:50 AM  MMA News, Strikeforce  1 Response »
Feb 102011
 

Gian Villante's (top) vicious striking has rendered him on the punishing end of five TKOs/KOs in his total seven victories. This Saturday, he faces Chad Griggs in a heavyweight grand prix reserve bout. (Photo courtesy of Keith Mills and Sherdog)

Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting – or at least Elton John thought so when he wrote the hit song.  Well, as it turns out, this Saturday night will be a great night for fights as the Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva live event in East Rutherford, New Jersey kicks off the Heavyweight Grand Prix with two of its quarter-final bouts, with “The Last Emperor” Fedor Emelianenko (31-2) facing “Bigfoot” Antonio Silva (13-2)  and “The Pitbull” Andrei Arlovski (14-8) clashing with Sergei Kharitonov (16-4) in the main and co-main event, respectively.  While those fights involve the Strikeforce “elite eight” heavyweights, Saturday night’s card also hosts a pair of reserve bouts for the promotion’s tourney, including Shane del Rosario (8-0) squaring off with “Big” Lavar Johnson (13-3), “The Python” Valentijn Overeem (26-21) taking on fellow striker and former K-1 kickboxer “Sugarfoot” Ray Sefo (2-1), and “The Grave Digger” Chad Griggs (8-1) teeing off against Strikeforce newcomer Gian Villante (7-1).  Villante is a veteran of Ring of Combat, having competed there in all of his professional fights and currently representing them as their World Heavyweight Champion.  Gian was an All-American football player at Hofstra University and was one of the last men cut from the New York Jets’ roster.  After being dismissed by the NFL, he turned to MMA.  For Griggs, he made a name for himself on the big stage by beating Bobby Lashley (5-1) via TKO in the third round of their August clash. Both Griggs and Villante prefer to keep the fight standing, and each has earned the majority of his wins via TKO or KO. How will this battle between two strikers play out? Lets take a look. Continue reading »

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Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva Pre-Fight Breakdown: Valentijn Overeem vs. Ray Sefo

 Posted by at 4:20 AM  MMA News, Strikeforce  1 Response »
Feb 092011
 

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 »

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Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva Fight Card Preview

 Posted by at 6:44 PM  MMA News, Strikeforce  1 Response »
Feb 082011
 

"The Pitbull" Andrei Arlovski is one of eight competitors in the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix, which kicks off with two of its quarter-final bouts at this Saturday's "Fedor vs. Silva" event. (Photo courtesy of MTV)

Just four days from now – on Saturday, February 12, Strikeforce’s much anticipated inaugural Heavyweight Grand Prix kicks off from the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey with Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva. The event itself, named after its main event competitors, boasts an all-heavyweight main card including two quarter-final match-ups of the eight-man single elimination tournament.

The main attraction of the evening pits the legendary Russian Sambo and Judo Champion “The Last Emperor” Fedor Emelianenko (31-2), who is returning to the cage for the first time since his upset loss to Fabricio Werdum (14-4-1) last June, against the Brazilian behemoth and Karate, Judo, and BJJ black belt “Bigfoot” Antonio Silva (14-2), a bout that Silva has been requesting for almost a year now. The co-main event sees former UFC Heavyweight Champion “The Pitbull” Andrei Arlovski (14-8) return to the lime light in taking on the last man to defeat Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion (one of several titles he currently holds) “The Demolition Man” Alistair Overeem – former PRIDE superstar Sergei Kharitonov (16-4). Continue reading »

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Bellator: The Draft, Part Three

 Posted by at 12:17 PM  Bellator, Features, MMA News  No Responses »
Dec 252010
 

(Bellator logo courtesy of Bellator, with title addition by MMA Gospel)

MMA Gospel concludes the Bellator: The Draft series by covering a few much needed additions to the promotion’s heavier weight divisions. The Bellator Fighting Championship (BFC) roster thins a bit at the top and new talent is severely needed to maintain the interest of the promotion’s divisional champions. The middleweight division relies almost solely on champion “Shango” Hector Lombard (25-2-1) to bring in viewers, the promotion currently has no light heavyweight division to speak of, and its heavyweight roster consists of “The Polar Bear” Cole Konrad (7-0), “Goliath” Neil Grove (10-3), and the one-and-done fighters who essentially utilize the organization to pad their records. These heavier classes are the divisions where Bellator needs the most work. Here are a few key players that could help bulk up the heavier weight classes to help Bellator more closely compete with rival MMA organizations. Continue reading »

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Strikeforce Pre-Fight Breakdown: Dan Henderson vs. Renato Sobral

 Posted by at 7:03 AM  MMA News  1 Response »
Dec 042010
 

Dan Henderson's overhand right has finished many of his previous opponents in just one shot. Case in point, UFC middleweight title contender "The Count" Michael Bisping (20-3) was laid out on the canvas by Henderson's right hand at UFC 100 last year. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

Tonight, Strikeforce returns to the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri with a fight card that is sure to be one of the promotion’s best efforts of the year, if not ever.  Former Elite XC and ICON Sport Middleweight Champion “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler (17-6) takes on Team Quest co-founder “The Law” Matt Lindland (22-7), “Hands of Steel” Scott Smith (16-7) makes his welterweight debut against British slugger “Semtex” Paul Daley (22-10-2), and former Elite XC Heavyweight Champion ”Bigfoot” Antonio Silva (13-2) goes to battle against late replacement “MAK” Mike Kyle (14-7) who steps in for the injured “The Python” Valentijn Overeem (26-21). The card is headlined by two pioneers in the sport of MMA. In the main event, UFC and PRIDE veteran dangerous “Hendo” Dan Henderson (25-8) takes on the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt “Babalu” Renato Sobral (33-9). The two men faced off nearly 11 years ago in Japan and saw Henderson walk away with the Split Decision nod from the judges. Now the two will go at it again to settle the score. Continue reading »

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Strikeforce Pre-Fight Breakdown: Mike Kyle vs. Antonio Silva

 Posted by at 3:51 PM  MMA News  No Responses »
Dec 032010
 

"Bigfoot" Antonio Silva plans to get back to his winning ways and get a step closer to title contention by defeating opponent Mike Kyle when the men face off tomorrow night. (Photo courtesy of Dave Mandel and Sherdog)

When Strikeforce arrives in St. Louis, Missouri tomorrow former Elite XC Heavyweight Champion ”Bigfoot” Antonio Silva (13-2) will look to start a new winning streak by coming out on top in his battle against late replacement “MAK” Mike Kyle (14-7), a well rounded and dangerous kickboxer. Kyle stepped in for the injured “The Python” Valentijn Overeem (26-21) on late notice last week and wants to show the world he belongs in the Strikeforce heavyweight title picture. Both men are strikers of titanic proportions with a knack for bringing the heat that will all but guarantee a fan friendly slugfest to appease casual and hardcore crowds alike. Continue reading »

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Strikeforce: Hangin’ In There With December 4 Card

 Posted by at 9:50 PM  MMA News  No Responses »
Nov 292010
 

"Babalu" Renato Sobral and "Hendo" Dan Henderson will face off this Saturday for a rematch ten years in the making. Thus far, the Strikeforce card has been riddled with problems including three short-notice fight cancellations. The promotion has been working diligently to fill the empty slots. (Photo courtesy of Ben Barton and Strikeforce)

Looks like Strikeforce’s December 4 “Henderson vs. Babalu” card might be making a comeback after all.

What promised to be the organization’s biggest event of the year was nearly reduced to shambles just last week after three of its biggest fan-drawing bouts, two of which were on the main card, were forcibly scrapped due to fighter injuries. The event’s deterioration began last Wednesday when 48-year-old former NFL great Herschel Walker (1-0) withdrew from his match against one-time WEC veteran Scott Carson (4-1) after sustaining a deep cut under his left eye during training. Then, that same day, welterweight Jesse Finney (6-1) dropped out of his main card fight with UFC veteran “Hands of Steel” Scott Smith (16-7), also due to an eye injury, for which he required immediate surgery.  Just three days later one of the card’s biggest draws – “The Python” Valentijn Overeem (26-21) – also helped lighten the card’s load by pulling out of his fight with former Elite XC Heavyweight Champion “Bigfoot” Antonio Silva (13-2) after suffering an elbow injury.  Strikeforce: Henderson vs. Babalu suddenly was reduced in size by one-third, and the change in line-up left the promotion scrambling to find comparable replacements on short notice. But all is not lost. Continue reading »

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Has Strikeforce Wasted a Big Opportunity by Mishandling Their December 4 Card?

 Posted by at 8:46 PM  MMA News  3 Responses »
Nov 282010
 

Strikeforce has again criminally under promoted one of their best cards to date. As can clearly be seen on the fight poster, the promotion has relied solely on the main event and Herschel Walker to generate interest. (Photo courtesy of Strikeforce)

Strikeforce has been plagued by problems leading into what should be their true breakthrough card on December 4. Aside from the mishandling of PR resources, lack of marketing, and the long period of inactivity that typically affects the Strikeforce main promotion, the December 4 card headlined by “Hendo” Dan Henderson (25-8) and “Babalu” Renato Sobral (33-9) has been plagued by fighter injuries. As is par for the course, Strikeforce faces heavy counter-programming from the untouchable media juggernaut that is the UFC. This time, it’s in the form of the finale of The Ultimate Fighter Season 12, a card which carries an entire season’s worth of hype as well as the first appearance of bantamweights (135lbs.) and featherweights (145lbs.) in the UFC. Strikeforce was set to counter the UFC, at least amongst the extremely hardcore fans and the extremely casual fans, with a card featuring not only the majority of Strikeforce’s big name fighters, but also the casual fan ratings magnet former NFL Pro-bowler and SEC college football great Herschel Walker (1-0). Then it all began to fall apart. Continue reading »

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