Strikeforce puts together a crowd pleasing tournament putting every fighter at risk with danger in every bracket.
Fedor Emelianenko (32-2,) a fighter that needs no introduction, will probably be the favorite to win the tournament even with the loss to Fabricio Werdum. Fedor has dominated the heavyweight division in Pride and has been #1 P4P on many critics' list of talented fighters. His name has recently dropped off most lists since the submission loss to Fabricio, but he is ready to prove he still belongs in the top P4P list in this tournament.
Antonio Silva (15-2) comes into this tournament in the first round facing the toughest opponent yet in his career. He has a great ground game using his BJJ to solidify positioning for submission or his devastating ground and pound. His stand up game is exceptional, recently out striking Andrei Arlovski in Strikeforce. He's more known for his ground n pound and will try and display that in this tournament.
Alistair Overeem (34-11) moving up to heavyweight since Pride has done him well. He is talked about to be Fedor's biggest challenge if they meet in the Semi-Finals. With all finishes by submission or knockout in his last 9 wins and winning 2010 K-1 World Grand Prix he is thought to have the most momentum coming into this tournament.
Fabricio Werdum (14-4) is another fighter coming into this tournament with a lot of momentum. Known for his BJJ and ground n pound and his striking is always improving. He comes off a first round submission win over Fedor Emelianenko (maybe the biggest upset in MMA history).
Andrei Arlovski (15-8) comes in the tournament with recent significant deterioration of his career. Entering this tournament with a 3 fight losing streak, including 2 devastating knockout losses to Fedor Emelianenko and Brett Rogers, Adrei fights to get his career back on track. Known for his boxing and devastating hands, he was beating Fedor with his footwork and speed before making a bad decision, throwing a flying knee giving Fedor the opening to land a 1 punch knockout ending his impressive prior 5 fight win streak.
Sergei Kharitonov (17-4), makes his Strikeforce debut hoping to make his mark on American soil in this tournament. Notable from his Pride career, Kharitonov is able finish fights with both submission and strikes. Every one of the entrants along the way will be Kharitonov’s most toughest opponents of his career making him a major underdog of this tournament.
Josh Barnett (26-5), has been a ranked in the top 10 heavyweights throughout his career. He is coming off a 6 fight win streak. Because of his lack of being signed with the popular UFC it is hard for him to find top competition in his weight class since his Pride days. Entering this tournament may put him back on the map and will give any opponent problems with his striking and wrestling.
Brett Rogers (11-2) is known for his devastating knockout power made his way up the food chain quickly with impressive 10 wins by way of knockout before facing Fedor. Briefly after being TKO’d by Overeem he comes off a win in a tune up fight hoping to get back to his winning ways.
This is a great tournament put together by Strikeforce, ensuring fans to see fireworks on either side of the tournament. This tournament starts on Febrauary 12th predictions coming soon!
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