STRIKEFORCE HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMP AIN’T FEDOR
Oklahoma City, OK– The big bad(?) Dutchman Alistair Overeem, 260 lbs, Amsterdam, Netherlands will make his first defense of his Strikeforce heavyweight MMA title against the dangerous powerhouse Brett Rogers, 265, St. Paul, MN. Overeem (32-11. 12 KOs, 19 SUBs) has been keeping busy outside of Strikeforce going 4-0 in other promotions since winning the title. Rogers (10-1, 9 KOs, 1 SUB) is coming off his spirited losing effort to uncrowned unified heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko (31-1, 8 KOs, 16 SUBs). No question Overeem has more experience, but he has been knocked out six times and Rogers is well versed in knocking people silly; taking the underdog Brett Rogers by KO.
EX-UFC KING ARLOVSKI IN GOOD SPOT
Andrei Arlovski, 240, Minsk, Belarus has had a self induced up and down career but may finally be focused and ready to make another run to the top. Standing in his way will be the imposing Antonio Silva, 265, Brasilia, Brazil. Although the size gap between Arlovski (15-7, 11 KOs, 3 SUBs) and Silva (13-2, 9 KOs, 3 SUBs) is large, the talent gap is even larger; favoring the Belarusian. Expect Arlovski to secure an easy win in this one.
KO KING TAKES ON SMOKIN’ JOE
KO specialist Ronaldo Souza, 185, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil will take on “Smokin” Joey Villasenor, 185, Albuquerque, NM in a middleweight scrap. Souza (11-2, 10 KOs) may be a dynamic striker, but he also possesses great grappling skills. Unfortunately for Villasenor (27-6, 12 KOs, 10 SUBs), he will most likely be “Smoked” and not “Smokin” in this bout. Souza by TKO.
ANOTHER GRACIE WORTHY OF MENTION
The young up and coming Roger Gracie, 220, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil will meet rugged and well worn veteran Kevin Randleman, 205, Columbus, OH. Gracie (2-0, 2 SUBs) may be the rookie, but Randleman (17-14, 5 KOs, 4 SUBs) is light years past his prime. I expect Gracie to make it 3-0 with three submissions by the end of the evening.
MORE HEAVYWEIGHTS
Antwain Britt, 205, Virginia Beach, VA will look to pull the slight upset against Brazilian Rafael Cavalcante, 205, Sao Paulo, Brazil. This is a hard fight to call as both men are very capable and well matched. Both Britt (11-3, 9 KOs) and Cavalcante (8-2, 7 KOs, 1 SUB) are excellent strikers and this could be a very exciting bout and could come down who has the better chin.
Matt “All meat” Grizzle