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Strikeforce Grand Prix Results: Fedor Emelianenko Shocker

By Ben Bieker

Main Event:

Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva (15-2-0, #10 Heavyweight) def. Fedor “The Last Emperor” Emelianenko (31-2-0-1, #4 Heavyweight) by Doctor stoppage at the end of round 2

I don’t know if Fedor was shot before this fight, but he sure looked like it afterwards. He did look decent in the first round, but he also looked off. When in the exchanges he just didn’t look like he could find the mark.

This was coming from the guy who was getting battered by Arlovski only to find his chin while he was in the air. His best days are behind him, and that also means it is the end of an era. He has always made a name for himself being the fighter who didn’t look like one, and beating up people bigger than him. I think the problem is he came from a time when those big fighters didn’t have the skill to back it up. Now fighters like Werdum, Bigfoot, and Shane Carwin have the size along with the ability, and that means that fighters like Fedor have a tougher time at Heavyweight.

For Silva, this was easily the biggest win of his career. Obviously it doesn’t mean as much as being the first person to defeat Fedor, legitimately, but it does mean that he has rocketed up the top ten rankings. He also can lay a legitimate claim to being a top contender to win the tournament. The way he controlled Fedor in round 2 was something no one has ever seen or done. Given Werdum beat him, but that was only after being dropped and he only submitted him. In this fight, he was thoroughly dominated to the point where it was bad for his health to continue. That says a lot.

Fedor has been considering retirement before this fight. Now he has a lot more reason to consider it, but he has that fine line to play between trying to go out on a win or staying in the game too long. Chuck Liddell is an example of someone that had the same problem. If he still wants to fight, which I think he should, I think he should do it at 205. That way he can try at gaining a world title again if that is what he desires.

Next for Antonio Silva: Silva has a lot of steam coming off this fight, and a fight with Werdum or Overeem will be interesting. He already has a loss to Werdum, but the Silva that lost that fight and the Silva of today are two different fighters.

Next for Fedor: I think he should drop to 205 or retire. Outside of those two options there is only one fight at Heavyweight I am interested in. People like Overeem and such fighters don’t interest me. Josh Barnett is the only fight that does. It is a throwback to pride days, but they are two fighters that should have fought before. In addition, it is a good fight that I think will mean a lot to the hardcore fans.

Co-Main Event:

Sergei Kharitonov (18-4-0-1) def. Andrei “The Pit bull” Arlovski (15-9-0) by KO at 2:49 of Round 1

Sergei may really be the dark horse to win the whole tournament. He has wins over half the other side of the tournament bracket, and with his display tonight showed that he has better hands than either of his potential opponents in Brett Rodgers or Josh Barnett. In this fight he showed his dominance over Andrei Arlovski, someone who gave Fedor trouble on his feet, by knocking him out with general ease. It did not take long for Sergei to deliver that punch either.

Sergei said in the pre-fight build up that he had not been a 100 percent for the last few years, and if this fight is any indication of how good of shape he is in I feel bad for his competition. He will soon get to show how good of a fighter he can be in this tournament, and get a top ten opponent if he can get beat his next opponent. Plus, in this fight he made me excited to see him come back and fight again.

Next for Sergei Kharitonov: Obviously the winner of Barnett-Rodgers. I hope he fights Barnett as he will be able to show us what Sergei’s ground game is like.

Next for Andrei Arlovski: He might want to consider retirement. Losing his last four fight and three of them by knockout is not a good sign. There is only so much damage and body and mind should be able to take. For Andrei’s health he should consider moving on. He has accomplished more than most people have, or ever will in their fight careers and that is not something to sniff at.

Shane Del Rosario (11-0-0) def. Lavar “Big” Johnson (15-4-1) by submission at 4:31 of Round 1

Shane, along with Griggs, showed that Strikeforce has some real depth to their Heavyweight division. Shane did well against Lavar on the feet, where Lavar had the advantage, and showed his dominance on the ground. To be able to go to mount and grab that arm bar shows how good his ground game.

For Shane this fight was huge as it allowed him to be introduced to a crowd that only a name like Fedor can create. From here it will only be big fights for him as he showed his value in this fight. He is a replacement fighter for the tournament in case someone gets hurt, but I don’t that should keep him from fighting if everyone gets through their fights unhurt. Also, Lavar looked good in this fight until he got submitted. Future opponents now know what his weakness is, and he just needs to work on that before he comes back.

Next for Shane Del Rosario: Since both he and Chad are alternates a fight between the two would not be unwarranted. If all goes well and no one gets hurt in the first round they could fight to see who could be an alternate for the finals.

Next for Lavar Johnson: He needs to work on his ground game, but his style makes him exciting. If Valentijin is not needed for his alternate duties a fight between the two could be exciting.

Chad “The Grave Digger” Griggs (10-1-0) def. Gian Villante (7-2-0) by TKO at 2:49 of Round 1

Even though Chad has had bigger fights considering he beat Bobby Lashley in his last fight, I think this fight meant more as he beat a good fighter in Gian. Even though Gian was trading in this fight, to me, it was all Chad. He was able to land the more effective and powerful punches, obviously, by stopping Gian. He also shows he has the wrestling chops in his fight against Bobby, which shows he has a bright future in this sport with those two assets.

The Bottom Line: Stage jitters get the best of Gian here as Chad is used to the big show, and takes this fight by submission in the 3rd.

Valentijin Overeem (29-25-0) def. Ray “Sugar” Sefo (2-1-0) by submission at 1:37 of Round 1

The ground game, the one aspect that could have spelled doom for Ray did spell doom. When the fight hit the ground Overeem was able to submit Ray. I think it was really quick so maybe Ray was hurt but nonetheless Overeem got his win, and reserved himself an alternate spot. With the win Overeem puts himself on a nice little 3 fight win streak, all by stoppage. Form here he will have to play the waiting game to see if he gets into the tournament, but he at least gave himself a real chance at being in the big show.

Ray has a lot of miles on his body. Plus, at the age of 39 it will be hard for him to add a legitimate ground game to his overall game. It would probably be smarter for him to return to K-1 where he can fight super fights if he still has the will to compete because this fight showed that he does not have much of a future in MMA. You still have to respect him for coming out and giving it a shot.

Next fight for Valentijin Overeem: He is an alternate, but if that doesn’t work out it would be good to see him fight the loser of Rodgers/Barnett. Barnett might be a little too much for him, but Brett would be a good fight for him.

Next for Ray Sefo: I called for him to go back to K-1 and I mean it. Honestly it is a better fit for him.

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