PWInsiderXTRA - WWE News, Wrestling News, WWE

STRIKEFORCE: OVEREEM VS. WERDUM HDNET CARD PREVIEW

We finally have the second half of the opening round of the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix taking place this Saturday Night. However, this events preliminary card features one heck of an important lightweight fight and a bunch of upstart fighters. For those who have access to HDNet, the five preliminary card fights will be taking place at 8pm EST. on that channel.

Kicking off the action is a lightweight division encounter as Brian Melancon (5-1-0) does battle with Isaac Vallie-Flagg (11-3-1). Brian Melancon will be entering the fight riding a two fight winning streak, with both of those victories coming in the Legacy Fights promotion. Isaac Vallie-Flagg enters this fight riding an eight fight winning streak, with his last loss coming to Strikeforce veteran Rudy Bears. This fight is going to be a battle on the feet, but it will be Isaac Vallie-Flagg coming out the victor in this one.

A pair of welterweights will be stepping into the cage next as Mike “The Greek” Bronzoulis (12-2-1) takes on Todd “Maniac” Moore (13-4-0). Mike Bronzoulis is entering the fight riding a four fight winning streak, with two of those wins coming in the Shark Fights promotion. Todd Moore is a highly touted prospect who has competed in the DREAM and World Extreme Cagefighting promotions. This fight should be a big time slugfest, with Todd Moore earning a hard fought victory with a knockout.

Next up is a middleweight division affair as Nah-Shon Burrell (5-1-0) steps up to the plate against Joe Ray (5-1-0). Nah-Shon Burrell has already fought twice in 2011, with both battles coming in the Cage Fury Fighting Championships promotions. Joe Ray is currently undefeated in the Strikeforce promotion, having defeated John Clarke at Strikeforce: Miami. This fight is the third straight battle between strike-first type fighters, but it will be Joe Ray picking up his second victory in Strikeforce.

The next fight will be fought in the lightweight division as Magno Almeida (9-1-0) faces off with Conor “Hurricane” Heun (8-4-0). Magno Almeida will be making his Strikeforce debut in this fight, but he is coming off a victory over WEC veteran Mike Campbell. Conor Heun is currently winless in Strikeforce competition, having suffered defeats to Jorge Gurgel and KJ Noons. Conor Heun will be remaining winless in Strikeforce as Magno Almeida picks up the biggest win of his career on Saturday Night.

Headlining this portion of the card is an important lightweight division fight as Gesias “JZ” Cavalcante (15-4-1) takes on Justin “The Silverback” Wilcox (11-3-0). Gesias Cavalcante lost in his Strikeforce debut at Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Noons II via unanimous decision to Josh Thomson. Justin Wilcox is undefeated in Strikeforce competition with victories over Shamar Bailey, Vitor Ribeiro and Rodrigo Damm. Justin Wilcox will be getting one step closer to a title shot as he out wrestles Gesias Cavalcante to earn a fourth Strikeforce victory.

You can contact David Tees at bigteesps3@yahoo.com

---