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Breakdown of STRIKEFORCE’s Heavyweight Division:
By Johnny Preston
 With
the recent signing of top ten-ranked “The Babyfaced Assassin” Josh
Barnett, STRIKEFORCE bolstered its already formidable heavyweight
division. Most MMA pundits agree that the division rivals and even
bests that of any other fight company in the world. And it should
only get better. Champion Alistair Overeem is at the top, but there
are already several formidable challengers waiting in the wings to
snap up their shot at the belt. Let’s take a look at the massive
maulers that populate the division (in no particular order).
Alistair “Demolition Man” Overeem
(33-11-0-1): No one can ever accuse the STRIKEFORCE Heavyweight
Champion of being a boring fighter. A finisher in every sense of the
word, Overeem has secured 32 of his 33 career victories via
stoppage. Included in his victims are fighters such as Vitor
Belfort, Igor Vovchanchyn, Paul Buentello, Mark Hunt, as well as
fellow STRIKEFORCE heavyweights Sergei Kharitonov and Brett Rogers.
With the level of competition in his division, “Demolition Man” has
many fights that make sense in front of him. The former light
heavyweight competitor can go for a trilogy with Kharitonov, avenge
his loss against Fabricio Werdum, take on former heavyweight kingpin
Fedor Emelianenko…the possibilities are seemingly endless.
Fabricio “Vai Cavalo” Werdum
(14-4-1): The number one contender for Overeem’s belt in many
people’s eyes is the Brazilian submission specialist Fabricio Werdum.
Already in possession of a victory over the champ he garnered in
2006, Werdum is undefeated in STRIKEFORCE at 3-0. A former Brazilian
Jiu-Jitsu world champion, “Vai Cavalo” is coming off what many
considered a shocking upset submission victory over the heavily
favored Fedor Emelianenko on June 26th of this year at “STRIKEFORCE:
Fedor vs. Werdum” on SHOWTIME®. His resume includes victories over
Emelianenko, Overeem, Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva, Brandon Vera, Gabriel
Gonzaga, and he is the only man to defeat both the Emelianenko
brothers (Fedor and Aleksander). What’s next for Werdum? Sidelined
by surgery until early 2011, a rematch with Fedor looms, as does a
second fight with Overeem, though this time it would be for the
STRIKEFORCE strap.
“The Last Emperor” Fedor Emelianenko
(31-2-0-1): The man many consider to be the best heavyweight fighter
in MMA history, “The Last Emperor” suffered a crushing defeat in his
last bout. Yet, his exploits prior to that bout cannot be
overlooked. Undefeated in 28 fights before his loss, Emelianenko had
crafted an aura of invincibility that could not be matched in the
MMA world. He simply destroyed everyone in his path. Renato “Babalu”
Sobral, Semmy Schilt, Heath Herring, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Mark
Coleman, Kevin Randleman, Mirko Cro Cop, Matt Lindland, Tim Sylvia,
Andrei Arlovski, Brett Rogers…the list goes on and on. Now, the
Russian will look to rebound in a big way. A rematch with Werdum?
Perhaps a bout with Antonio Silva? The “Demolition Man?” Regardless
of who Emelianenko faces, the eyes of the fight world will be on
that bout.
“The Babyfaced Assassin” Josh Barnett
(26-5): This 6’ 3”, 250 lb. grappler has the ground skills to
compete with anyone in his division in the world. A proprietor of
the style of fighting labeled “catch wrestling,” Barnett has
cultivated a unique approach to the cage. A colorful character, he
is never at a loss for words, and always speaks his mind. Barnett’s
legendary battles with fighters such as Randy “The Natural” Couture,
Mirko Cro Cop, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, and others have solidified
his spot as one of the top heavyweights in the world. He brings a
six-fight winning streak into the STRIKEFORCE cage, and is hungry to
prove he’s worthy of a crack at the title. Also a huge star in
Japan, Barnett will now look to equal that status here in the
States. |
