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Headlining this heavyweight’s only card is the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Opening Round fight between “The Last Emperor†Fedor Emelianenko (31-2-0) and Antonio “Big Foot†Silva (15-2-0). Fedor Emelianenko is coming off the first loss of his MMA career in nearly a decade, losing to Fabricio Werdum at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Werdum. Antonio Silva enters the fight riding a two fight winning streak, including a victory over former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei Arlovski. This fight will come down to the striking game, which will give Fedor Emelianenko the win over “Big Foot.â€
In the co-main event, Andrei “The Pitbull†Arlovski (15-8-0) takes on Sergei Kharitonov (17-4-0) in a Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Opening Round encounter. Andrei Arlovski is riding a three fight losing streak, with all three losses coming to fellow grand prix competitors. Sergei Kharitonov will be making his North American MMA debut in this fight, but has fought overseas in the DREAM and PRIDE promotions. This fight is going to be a strike festival and Andrei Arlovski will end the streak against the international superstar.
A heavyweight grand prix reserve fight is up next as Shane Del Rosario (10-0-0) takes on Lavar “Big†Johnson (15-3-0). Shane Del Rosario is an undefeated fighter with two wins in Strikeforce, over Brandon Cash and Lolohea Mahe. Lavar Johnson is also undefeated in Strikeforce competition and has won two straight since returning from a drive by shooting that nearly cost him his life. This fight features two good strikers, but it will be Shane Del Rosario’s ground skills that will get him the victory.
The next grand prix reserve fight will feature Valentijn “The Python†Overeem (28-25-0) taking on Ray “Sugar Foot†Sefo (2-0-0). Valentijn Overeem is the brother of current Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion Alistair Overeem and was set to make his Strikeforce debut in 2010 before a training camp injury sidelined him. Ray Sefo is still fairly new to the MMA universe, but does hold a victory over UFC veteran Kevin Jordan. This is another fight between two good strikers, but it will be Valentijn Overeem’s experience that gets him the victory.
Opening up the fight card will be Chad “The Grave Digger†Griggs (9-1-0) taking on Gian Villante (7-1-0) in the other grand prix reserve fight. Chad Griggs made his Strikeforce debut this past Summer when he defeated former WWE and TNA star Bobby Lashley by TKO. Gian Villante will be making his Strikeforce debut in this fight, as he has previously fought every fight of his professional MMA career in the Ring Of Combat promotion. These two fighters are virtually equal in skills, but Chad Griggs does have the big fight experience and that will help him win the fight.
You can contact David Tees at bigteesps3@yahoo.com
