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Fedor Emelianenko Vs Antonio Silva: Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Begins this Saturday

By Kevin Nelson

On Saturday, in New Jersey the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix will begin with the winner of the tournament being declared Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Champion.

Entrants include Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion Alistair Overeem, but his title will not be on the line. We analyze each contestant and see which one has the best chance of winning the tournament.

Included in the tournament are two reserve bouts in the event one of the contestants is injured. Alistair Overeem and Fedor Emelianenko are two of the biggest names in the tournament, but there are certainly others to consider…

Josh Barnett, 29-5

He is one of the most accomplished fighters (who has tested positive for steroids on a number of occasions). The former UFC Heavyweight Champion was stripped after testing positive for steroids.

He, at the time in 2002, was the youngest heavyweight champion in UFC history (age 22) when he defeated Randy Couture. Among his accomplishments include UFC Heavyweight Champion, King of Pancrase, and Pride Heavyweight Grand Prix Finalist.

He has defeated Dan Severn, Pedro Rizzo, Randy Couture, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, and Mark Hunt. Notable losses include Mirko “Crocop” Filipovic 3 times, Pedro Rizzo, and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. His strengths are his ground game and his standup has evolved quite a bit over the years.

I would make him one of the favorites based on his all around ability and having already competed in a Grand Prix.

Sergei Kharitonov, 17-4

Having competed infrequently over the last three years, only fighting once a year, Kharitonov is a bit of a mystery. The Golden Glory product is one of the deadliest strikers in the tournament having been the last person to defeat current Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion Alistair Overeem.

His last loss was to unheralded Jeff Monson in which he was submitted. It may be signs of him going into a decline. Notable wins: Alistair Overeem, Fabricio Werdum, Notable losses: Aleksander Emelianenko, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, and the aforementioned Jeff Monson.

With his two wins over two of the contestants cant be ignored Kharitonov at best is a dark horse in this tournament.

Andrei Arlovski, 15-8

One of the most physically gifted athletes in the heavyweight division, Arlovski has speed, power, agility, a good ground game, and excellent standup.

His weakness and it’s a major one is his chin, having been dusted by Brett Rogers and losing to Fedor by brutal KO at Affliction. Arlovski is in a bit of a funk and this is realistically his last shot.

Notable wins Tim Sylvia, Roy Nelson, Ben Rothwell, Fabricio Werdum, Paul Buentello, and Vladimir Matyushenko.

Notable losses: Pedro Rizzo (KO), Ricco Rodriguez (KO), Fedor Emelianenko (KO), Brett Rogers (KO), Antonio Silva (Decision), and Tim Sylvia (KO and decision).

Arlovski remains one of the most popular, and if wasn’t for his chin, might have been an all time great. I expect him to upset a couple of his opponents before losing to a puncher. Yes, I expect him to beat Kharitonov.

Brett Rogers, 11-2

He has never gone three rounds in a MMA fight until his last fight against Ruben Villareal, a fight many including myself felt he lost. His ground game is weak and has very limited experience. It should be in for the biggest fight of his career in Josh Barnett. His strength is his standup. If Rogers hits you flush, then you are going to get knocked out.

His biggest win to date is against Andrei Arlovski and Abongo Humphrey. His losses are to Fedor Emelianenko and Alistair Overeem both by KO.

Rogers is simply not ready and the question is: Will he ever be?

Antonio Silva, 15-2

He is one of the sport’s rising stars in the heavyweight division. His striking is good and his ground game is also good. Silva holds wins over Andrei Arlovski, Mike Kyle, and Ricco Rodriguez. He was impressive in the Kyle fight because, at one point, he was badly hurt but rebounded to win.

His losses are to Fabricio Werdum and Eric Pele. Chin might be an issue and he also tested positive for steroids and was banned for a year. Not a favorite, but we will learn more about him through his match with Fedor.

Fabricio Werdum, 14-4-1

A BJJ Black Belt and master submission artist, Werdum pulled off one of the biggest upsets in 2010 when he defeated Fedor Emelianenko by submission. His defeat to Junior Dos Santos was his last fight in the UFC, a fight where he showed up overweight.

Notable victories: Fedor Emelianenko, Alistair Overeem, Antonio Silva, Gabriel Gonzaga. Notable losses: Junior Dos Santos, Sergei Kharitonov, Andrei Arlovski and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.

Five of the opponents that he has faced are in the Grand Prix, with an overall record against five of 3-2, only having not faced Brett Rogers, Josh Barnett.

He is a favorite to win it all.

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