Spoilers - Strikeforce heavyweight grand prix

Niall0

http://www.fightersonlymagazine.co.uk/news/viewarticle.php?id=5814

Strikeforce is planning a heavyweight tournament to commence early in 2011, it has been reported.

The organisation purportedly wants its champion Alistair Overeem to take part, along with Fedor Emelianenko.

Other names in the mix, according to a Tatame report citing “reliable sources”, Fabricio Werdum, Josh Barnett, Antonio Silva, Brett Rogers, Andrei Arlovski and Sergei Kharitonov.

A fight between Fedor and Antonio Silva would reportedly go down in February 2011; Fedor’s management at M-1 Global recently said a rumoured January 29th date is definitely not happening.

Strikeforce is also reportedly hoping for a fight between Werdum and Kharitonov in March, with other prospective matches as yet-unscheduled.

The Grand Prix tournament will supposedly be divided into three stages and may even mark Strikeforce‘s debut on pay-per-view, according to Tatame.

chopperbyrne

Could be good.

I'd assume Fedor and Overeem would be kept on opposite sides of the bracket as that is definitely their big money draw.

chopperbyrne

chopperbyrne wrote: »

Could be good.

I'd assume Fedor and Overeem would be kept on opposite sides of the bracket as that is definitely their big money draw.

Don't you know it. I reckon there'd be a surprise though that'd throw a spanner in the works.

scudzilla

chopperbyrne wrote: »

Could be good.

I'd assume Fedor and Overeem would be kept on opposite sides of the bracket as that is definitely their big money draw.

If i was running it i honestly wouldn't, what if one of them loses? That's the big money earner right outta the window.

I'd fix the draw for a First Round Fedor v Overeem fight, that way you're guaranteed it'll happen, and you could market the rest of the series on that PPV alone

scudzilla

scudzilla wrote: »

If i was running it i honestly wouldn't, what if one of them loses? That's the big money earner right outta the window.

I'd fix the draw for a First Round Fedor v Overeem fight, that way you're guaranteed it'll happen, and you could market the rest of the series on that PPV alone

I seriously doubt the winner of that will be able to fight in the next round.

JohnMc1

Considering they were supposed to have a MW tournament as well I'll hold my excitement until it actually begins. Plus you can bet Fedor and M-1 will want to re-negotiate for every match in the tournament.

scudzilla

Deleted User wrote: »

I seriously doubt the winner of that will be able to fight in the next round.

Sure they will, i doubt they'll have it on the same night, in the OP it says they'd divide it into 3 stages

JohnMc1

scudzilla wrote: »

Sure they will, i doubt they'll have it on the same night, in the OP it says they'd divide it into 3 stages

That's how they would have to have it since the ACs aren't too fond of them.

calex71

JohnMc1 wrote: »

That's how they would have to have it since the ACs aren't too fond of them.

Neither am I tbh, Dream ran them early on and often worthy fighters got replaced with fighters who had been soundly beaten early on due to injury.

Even more recently in the K1 GP Peter Aerts was in no shape to fight Overeem after beating Semmy Schilt. Souring the final somewhat for me.

weemcd

Ideas like this are fantastic in theory, like the Super Six was, but negotiating with Fedor, keeping Overeem from his extra curricular activities, the other fighters fit and willing to face anyone is a tough task. UFC would not have a tournament close to this in any weight division currently. It would be a complete all or nothing move, probably leveraging the whole company on It's success.

Oh_Noes

It's an exciting development/idea but like a couple of posters above, I very much doubt it will actually happen. I was a big Fedor fan for a long time but the way his management dicks around I've lost interest a little bit. Strikeforce are a bit like the boy who cried wolf since they talked up their middleweight tournament so much and then just abandoned it.

I still think they have the strongest heavyweight division in MMA but I'd rather they just try to have a consistent string of fights instead of messing around and making things harder for themselves.

Forest Master

Considering Strikeforce have trouble putting any type of fight together, I doubt this will happen.

Zero-Cool

Would love to see this happen but most likely Strikeforce are gonna make a balls of it.

From middleeasy.com

http://middleeasy.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3506:four-fights-have-been-announced-for-strikeforces-2011-heavyweight-grand-prix&catid=35:events

It looks like Fedor/Bigfoot is going to be the opening quarterfinal match in February 2011. I still stand by Fedor fighting at the Arnolds in March, but for now, Fedor and Bigfoot Silva are touching gloves this Black History Month. The other quarterfinal bouts are shaping up to be Werdum/Kharitonov which will go down in March. It's nice to finally see Kharitonov back in action. Rogers vs. Barnett will be added to a card that definitely wont take place in California. And finally, The Reem will take on Arvloski in a match that could have theoretically happened in the 2010 K-1 GP. TATAME is also reporting that the tourney will be divided into three stages: quarterfinal, semifinal and finals for the two of you who don't know how a tournament is structured, and starting with the semifinals, all of this will be broadcast on PPV.

SanoVitae

Go Sergei!! If he can keep it standing and comes in in-shape (big if), I see him beating Werdum.

Niall0

From http://www.mmafighting.com/2011/01/04/overeem-vs-werdum-among-strikeforce-heavyweight-tournament-pair/?a_dgi=aolshare_twitter

The first two quarterfinal bouts will take place on Feb. 12,

Fedor Emelianenko VS Antonio SIlva
Andrei Arlovski VS Sergei Kharitonov

The other two quarterfinal bouts include:
Brett Rogers VS Josh Barnett
Alistair Overeem VS Fabricio Werdum

Zero-Cool

This actually sounds like its gonna go ahead :eek: Cmon Bigfoot!!

Hail 2 Da Thief

This would be an awesome watch if it goes ahead!

JohnMc1

sheehy83 wrote: »

This actually sounds like its gonna go ahead :eek: Cmon Bigfoot!!

I want Bigfoot to beat Fedor as well. If Fedor wins it a guarantee they'll want to renegotiate again and hold up the tournament.

Zero-Cool

JohnMc1 wrote: »

I want Bigfoot to beat Fedor as well. If Fedor wins it a guarantee they'll want to renegotiate again and hold up the tournament.

Ya, I mean, will we actually get to see Fedor fight Overeem???

JohnMc1

sheehy83 wrote: »

Ya, I mean, will we actually get to see Fedor fight Overeem???

Maybe after the 20th renegotiation. I would love to see Fedor vs Alistair but I know Fedor/M-1 would stall it through renegotiations.

Oh_Noes

Matchups look fantastic it has to be said. They have everyone there that you'd want there, and a couple of others on standby. I really hope they do it.

Kazooie

Been confirmed on Fedors promotion website:
http://www.m-1global.com/2011/01/04/m-1-global%E2%80%99s-fedor-emelianenko-joins-elite-heavyweights-for-eight-man-single-elimination-tournament/

If only they could make them (well Fedor and Overeeem anyway )sign an agreement to the whole tournament now. I don't trust M1 Global not to **** about with contract negociations as it progresses.

Still what a spectacle it will be if Fedor and The Reem make it to the final. Can't wait!

the_doctor199

Great article on this from MMA Fighting: Link

adelarge1

SanoVitae wrote: »

Go Sergei!! If he can keep it standing and comes in in-shape (big if), I see him beating Werdum.

i like kharitonov, could cause a few upsets:cool:

calex71

Kharitonov I have always had a soft spot for as do I for Arlovski, who would I rather see win Kharitonov, but I really think Arlovski will win even on recent form.

Then how does that play out It's either Fedor and the Reem or Fedor Vs someone he's battered before or.................. Fedor V Werdum !!!!! I would like to see that.

I actually want Fedor V Barnett , seeing as Josh dodged him at pride and then failed the drug test more recently, and thats the match up I'd rather see happen after the 1st round.

What ever about contracts, you can be guaranteed M1 were offered super awesome mega bucks to even consider the tournament.

Utopia Parkway

calex71 wrote: »

Then how does that play out It's either Fedor and the Reem or Fedor Vs someone he's battered before or.................. Fedor V Werdum !!!!! I would like to see that.

Looks like they kept the big guns on one side of the draw in the hope that they at least get a few big fights for definite. If you have Fedor and Reem on opposite sides I guess there's always the possibility that one of them won't make the final. Even being on the same side it's not certain that they will meet even though both of them will be favourites to win their first fights.

Kazooie

Where did you find the full draw?

Professey Chin

Kazooie wrote: »

Where did you find the full draw?

Most websites have the full draw now but I 1st saw it on mmafighting.com

Hail 2 Da Thief

Getting pumped for this now!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94rwn_Je3Tg

Jayo_M

Fedor's signed a 4-fight deal (3 fight extension?) with Strikeforce, so hopefully that's locked up nice and tight so there's no room for renegotiations mid-tournament.

This tournament is going to be unreal. It's funny, Werdum has beaten everyone on his side of the tournament and lost to the only two people he's faced on the other side - AA and Sergei. It'll be great to see how this pans out. Personally, I'm hoping for a Fedor/Barnett final.

Professey Chin

Mauro just confirmed on twitter that the belt will be be defended through out the tournament so each belt tilt will be 5rds.
Nice :cool:

edit: Sorry.This is what Strikeforce wants.Coker says theyre still waiting commission approval

SanoVitae

Very kind draw for Barnett. He must be favourite on his side of the draw. I hope Sergei gets in shape! A grudge match against Fedor in the final would be epic.

Zero-Cool

This is gonna be epic! Can anyone tell me if the tourney is all on the same night or spread over a few days, weeks? Strange that Fedor, Reem and Werdum are all on the same side. Might even throw some money down on this if there are good odds floating around.

Niall0

sheehy83 wrote: »

This is gonna be epic! Can anyone tell me if the tourney is all on the same night or spread over a few days, weeks? Strange that Fedor, Reem and Werdum are all on the same side. Might even throw some money down on this if there are good odds floating around.

Its spread over 8 months.

Zero-Cool

Niall0 wrote: »

Its spread over 8 months.

ah Jaysus

Fozzy

I just cannot see it ending with the final in eight months without some sort of hitch. It's already been mentioned that Fedor will probably try renegotiating his contract if he wins his fight. It's been hard for them to get Overeem to fight for them and that could still continue. There are six fights before the final and it's unlikely that none of the six winners will get injured. If they do stick to this schedule then there's a good chance that we'll end up with Tyrone Woodley vs Lavar Johnson in the final

Jayo_M

I think chances of that are very slim, since Woodley is a welterweight.

Fozzy

Jayo_M wrote: »

I think chances of that are very slim, since Woodley is a welterweight.

:pac: It was a late night. But I stick by it

Fozzy

Fozzy wrote: »

:pac: It was a late night. But I stick by it

Brilliant! :pac:

MisterCadbury

http://vimeo.com/18484241

Hail 2 Da Thief

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GbkczlsG7E

Jayo_M

All fights will be 3 rounds, with the final being 5 rounds for the SF HW GP Title, but not the SF HW Title itself, much like Pride/K-1.

The winner then gains the #1 contender spot for Overeem's title (if Overeem doesn't win the GP). This is down to the commissions, rather than Strikeforce. Sucks for Werdum - if he beats Overeem, then he has to beat Fedor/Silva again and the winner of the other side of the tournament just to challenge for the title again!

http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2011/1/13/1932529/strikeforce-fedor-vs-silva-conference-call-live-updates

Fozzy

So if Overeem happens to lose this fight he most likely won't be fighting, or at least defending his title, until late this year or maybe next year

Jayo_M

Probably won't be fighting in Strikeforce until the GP concludes, but more than likely will be in Dream or K-1 in the meantime (rubber match with Badr?). It's not ideal, but thats how GP's have been ran in the past.

If Alistair loses to Werdum, and then Werdum loses to Fedor/Silva then it wouldn't be beyond the realms of possibility that Werdum gets a shot at Overeem's title before the tournament finishes, with the winner of that defending against the GP winner. I'm not a fan of people getting title shots off a loss, but I wouldn't have an issue with it if that was the case.

Mellor

sheehy83 wrote: »

This is gonna be epic! Can anyone tell me if the tourney is all on the same night or spread over a few days, weeks? Strange that Fedor, Reem and Werdum are all on the same side. Might even throw some money down on this if there are good odds floating around.

Did you really expect it to be on one night???

Take Overeem for example, he'd have to fight Werdum, Fedor and say Barnet if he was to win. Any one of these fights is huge, 3 in one night would be impossible

MrStuffins

Mellor wrote: »

Did you really expect it to be on one night???

Take Overeem for example, he'd have to fight Werdum, Fedor and say Barnet if he was to win. Any one of these fights is huge, 3 in one night would be impossible

You're right......... 3 of them in the same night?.............they'd need to give him a challenge at least!

Hail 2 Da Thief

Anybody know of a bookmaker giving odds on methods of victory & the like? Paddypower only giving odds on outright winner of the GP bouts.

Mellor

Hail 2 Da Thief wrote: »

Anybody know of a bookmaker giving odds on methods of victory & the like? Paddypower only giving odds on outright winner of the GP bouts.

Betfair will have a market up, they normallu include method of victory.

At the minute its only the previous event on the 29th, but the GP should be up soon. There won't be much action until the night before (which means the prices will be best the day of the event) so there's no rush.

Shameless shill, but it you don't have a betfair account then I have a link for 35euro bonus. sign up here to take advantage

MonkeyBalls

Mod edit - we have rules on unfounded steroid allegations

Ullrich

I hope that Fedor takes this, and then goes on to fight for the ufc title shot. And then quits whatever the result

Ullrich

Ullrich wrote: »

I hope that Fedor takes this, and then goes on to fight for the ufc title shot. And then quits whatever the result

Fedor V Cain would be a sick fight. The guy that wins this has to be next on Dana's poaching list