Alistair Overeem
Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix match ups set
The remaining Strikeforce eight-man heavyweight tournament matches have come together pitting champion Alistair Overeem against Fabricio Werdum in the opening round quarterfinals and Josh Barnett will take on Brett Rogers, filling out the brackets.
As previously reported, Fedor Emelianenko will face Antonio Silva in his Strikeforce return while Andrei Arlovski goes up against Sergei Kharitonov.
It’s unknown whether or not Overeem’s heavyweight title will be on the line in the quarterfinal showdown with Werdum.
Strikeforce, M-1 Global, in association with Showtime have signed a new, multi-year agreement to co-promote events headlined by Emelianenko.
“We are thrilled to have come to a long-term agreement with Fedor and M-1 GLOBAL,” said Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker. “To have the greatest MMA fighter of all-time put his legacy on the line in a single-elimination tournament will truly captivate MMA fans worldwide. Strikeforce is home to the best heavyweight division in the world; the athlete who runs the gauntlet in a tournament such as this would have to be considered the best heavyweight fighter in the world.”
Emelianenko looks forward to the tournament.
“I have been training very hard since my last fight and can’t wait to get back in the cage,” said Emelianenko. “STRIKEFORCE has assembled a roster filled with the best heavyweights in the world and, together with M-1 GLOBAL, we have the opportunity to fight the best in a great tournament format.”
The tournament kicks off with Emelianenko vs. Silva and Arlovski vs. Kharitonov on Feb. 12 at the IZOD Center in New Jersey.
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