By Sean Farrell

Quarterfinal Fedor Emelianenko vs. Antonio Silva

The mystique surrounding Fedor “the Last Emperor” Emelianenko has been erased by another mystical being in “Bigfoot”. No not the “Bigfoot” from folklore but the “Bigfoot” from Brazil who once in the cage turns into everything his nickname stands for. Antonio “Bigfoot”

Silva forced a doctor stoppage against the feared Russian in the quarter-finals of the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, N.J. The end came between rounds two and three, as Emelianenko’s right eye swelled shut by a series of hammerfists from the monstrous Brazilian in round 2. Silva said after the fight “I trained hard for this fight with my camp, all the people say, ‘Fedor, Fedor, Fedor.’ I trained too hard, and I showed it to the world now. I want the best heavyweights in the world.”

A very competitive first round lead to a lopsided second, Silva ducked one of Fedor’s signature overhand rights and scored a takedown in the first five seconds in round number 2. Silva then passed to half guard and then to North-South position before attaining the full mount.

Silva rained down hammerfists and left Emelianenko’s face a mangled mess like he was mauled by “Bigfoot” thing is, he was. The former Pride FC heavyweight titleholder had to surrender his back more than once in the round as Silva worked first for a rear-naked choke and later an arm-triangle choke that nearly finished Emelianenko, who hacked through it and never quit. Completely spent form the worst beating of his legendary career, Fedor Emelianenko saw his last hoorah fall short. The two traded leg lock attempts at the close of the second round, when the Russian returned to his corner, it became clear he could no longer see yet alone continue and the bout was halted as Fedor has been “beat” for the first time ever. Never before had Emelianenko been so thoroughly decimated in his entire MMA career until Antonio Silva got his hands on him.

Emelianenko, had gone nearly a decade without a loss and has now been finished twice in eight months. Fedor was the favorite to win the entire tournament, giving Strikeforce further credibility towards its dominant heavyweight division. After the bout, Fedor hinted at retirement and the end of his illustrious MMA career when he left us with these words, “Something went wrong from the very beginning, and I couldn’t readjust myself. Maybe it’s time to leave, Yes, maybe it’s the last time. Maybe it’s high time. Thank you for everything. I spent a great, beautiful, long sporting life. Maybe it’s God’s will.”

If this is the last time we have ever seen “the Last Emporer” fight, MMA will surely miss him much like when Michael Jordan walked away from basketball, MMA has lost their most dominate figure to ever grace the ring or cage.

Round 2 TKO Corner Stoppage 5:00

Quarterfinal Sergei Kharitonov vs Andrei Arlovski

Andrei “the Pitbull” Arlovski was looking to get his career back on track as he was a favorite going into this tournament. Sergei Kharitonov could do nothing more than oblige Arlovski and make him prove it. Sergei Kharitonov is overlooked by many fans but one thing should never be overlooked, Kharitonov has bombs for hands. Kharitonov’s bombs are so bad that the Geneva Convention should have taken them when it went into effect. Kharitonov was out boxed by the more technical Arlovski for the early going of the round. That all changed when Kharitonov unleashed his patented uppercut followed by left hand ending the fight with a punches at 2:49 of round 1. Kharitonov is clearly the dark horse in this tournament and nothing can be said but watch out for those hands because whoever they touch will be waking up staring at the lights.

Levar Johnson vs Shane Del Rosario

Levar Johnson and Shane Del Rosario were in another Grand Prix Reserve bout. These two hot prospects were supposed to stand and bang as they re both well versed strikers. The case however was Johnson trying to take the fight to the ground instead of relying on his heavy right hand and was careless when he got the fight to the mat. Del Rosario worked his way into a full mount and pinned Johnson’s right arm as Del Rosario used his ground and pound. Del Rosario switched positions and caught Johnson in a submission winning via armbar at 4:31 of round 1.

Chad Griggs vs. Gian Villante

Griggs was proving he was more than a fluke coming off a lucky win over Bobby Lashley. From the opening bell, Griggs went to work unloading his hands on Villante early and often. Villante tried to catch Griggs with a headkick, which landed and cut the ear of Griggs. The end was near for Villante, with blood flowing from his ear Griggs unloaded on Villante getting the stoppage via tko punches at 2:49 of round 1.

Reserve fight:

Valentijn Overeem vs. Ray Sefo

Valentijn Overeem, Alistair Overeem’s older brother was in a Grand Prix reserve bout where he faced Ray Sefo. This fight was more for the K-1 fan at heart as both of these fighters are highly decorated kickboxers. The fight however wasn’t determined by kickboxing as expected and was halted when “the Python” Valentijn Overeem locked in a submission gaining the victory via neck crank at 1:37 of round number 1.

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