Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva expected more from Alistair Overeem on Saturday
Posted on June 19, 2011, 05:56 PM by Joey SantosusFour months after the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix kicked-off with its first set of quarterfinal bouts, February's winners, Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva and Sergei Kharitonov, finally know who they will meet in the semifinal round.
Last night's Overeem vs. Werdum event from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas featured division Champion Alistair Overeem going head to head with Fabricio Werdum and Josh Barnett taking on Brett Rogers, with each fighter looking to take another step towards the finals.
In the co-main event, Rogers found himself muscled to the mat, where the fight would remain for the duration of the bout. Unable to free himself from beneath Barnett's heavy hips, "The Grim" was eventually given no choice but to tap out as he found his air supply cut off via arm-triangle choke in the second-round.
As dominate as "War Master" (the fighter formerly known as "The Babyfaced Assasin") may have appeared in his return stateside, however, if was the headlining bout that raised more than a few eyebrows.
Just moments into the opening-round, the gameplan of each fighter became painfully clear. After several unsuccessful attempts at baiting Overeem into his guard, Werdum eventually resorted to pleading with the champ to test his jiu-jitsu on the mat. Unwilling, "The Reem" was forced to wait for a referee stand-up, with Werdum sluggishly lifting himself back to his feet time after time. In the end, all three judges scored the match-up for Overeem, bringing the lackluster game of strategy to its conclusion.
In the time since, the "smart" approach taken by each fighter in last night's main event has already resulted in some negative backlash from those who had hoped to see a more competitive affair. Among them was Overeem's semifinal opponent, Antonio Silva. Speaking at the event's post-fight press conference, "Bigfoot" shared his thoughts on the bout (via HitTheRopes.com):
"I told you before, if I beat Fedor, I would win this tournament."
"I promised my fans, I promised my family, and I'm going to win this tournament."
"I actually feel Overeem respected Werdum a lot, and he didn't do as much as he could but I expected more and I didn't see too much."
"I respect Overeem, but I'm going to train hard. I'm going to train for three rounds, hard. I know I can knock out this guy. I can fight standup, fight on the ground – believe me."
While no official date or venue has been set, the semifinal round is expected to take place this Fall and will feature Alistair Overeem vs. Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva, as well as Josh Barnett vs. Sergei Kharitonov. The two fighters who emerge victorious from their respective bout will then meet in a final showdown to crown the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Champion.
Photo: CombatLifestyle.com
Comments
I like these semi finals match ups.
Main event was a little dissapointing, other 3 advancing participants have looked good in their previous performances. Overeem may still be the betting favourite however after last night the gap in the odds should be closer.
I think it could be Sergei..dude has got some violent power.
we all are
Bigfoot can definitely win this thing. Even if he ends up fighting Overeem, I think he'll do fine on the feet. Look at the dude's jaw, I'm sure he can take a massive amount of punishment. As for Overeem, I've seen him tko'd numerous times.
I think Big Foot has a decent chance of winning the Tournament
Very interesting to see who gets to the Final i can only count on Barnett as a sure thing well almost because Big Foot vs Reem should be closer than we expected before the Tournament started.
Yeah, I think Barnett is a shoe in as well. I won't be a bit surprised if it comes down to him V Bigfoot. I think Bigfoot and Overeem are much more closely matched than is conventional wisdom.
Damn this Bigfoot. What's with these brazilians thinking they are king shit after beating Fedor? Bigfoot is silly enough to stand with the Reem and will pay with a knee to the sternum.
This freak of nature needs to be brought back down to Earth.
yeah a knee to the sternum just like he did to werdum. oh wait a tic... it went to decision and he was 100% gassed. what's up with this site. you still collect action figures or something? fvck you punk, don't go around calling people you don't know freaks, it's you who needs to be brought down to earth. you basically live in your weak azz imagination.
definitely, he's huge and strong and proficient in every area. should be a really great fight with reem. especially now that bigfoot will have an entirely different mindset and confidence level. imagine beating fedor and then watching the dallas event and soaking all this in.
My weak ass imagination? You okay there pal? Overeem was gassed because he was throwing power for three rounds. He was exploding from round 1 to round 3. When you go maximum force you deplete large amounts of energy.
Your special Bigfoot couldn't even finish Fedor. The doctor stopped Fedor faster than Bigfoot ever could.
Твой Оверим вообще ничего не показал. Бигфут его замочит.
ur an idiot
in over 10 years only one guy has actually finished fedor
ur a douche
again, what good is being a K1 champ if you get out struck by Werdum, what good is being an MMA fighter if you refuse to take it to the ground at whatever the cost? and by the way, Fedor destroys anyone, he is just rather average in size and this becomes a problem when you are facing someone 50 pounds heavier and with an 8 inch advantage. make sense?
Funny i was thinking the exact samething
Reem stuffed most of the take downs but he also took most of the punishment. Fab landed lots of shots on Reem. Had that been Sergi, Reem would be on the mat.
I agree. But the only reason Werdum landed so many shots was because Overeem has mad respect for Werdum's ground game and his defense was entirely focused on take down defense. Werdum didn't care about getting hit by Werdum because he knew Werdum can't knock anybody out. Those shots landed by Werdum didn't have bad intentions. All Werdum was trying to do was open Overeem up for the take down.
Look at GSP. He was so focused on avoiding the ground game against Shields that Shields (not a good striker) out-striked arguably the best P4P fighter on the planet in the later rounds. When your ground game is that good, it opens many, many doors of opportunity because you change the other fighter's game plan completely.
This tournament is as open as it could be. I would not be surprised if any of these fighters won the whole thing. Should be some great fights in the future.
i feel the same, absolutely wide open.
Overeem will beat Bigfoot. He will force the giant to stand where Overeem will do what he does best. Werdum is much craftier than Bigfoot and Overeem was able to outsmart Werdum and stuff everything he had. Bigfoot will get knocked out bad.
Barnett isn't stupid; he will take Sergei down and beat him there. If he stands with this monster, good night JB. But like I said, Barnett isn't stupid.
What I would like: Overeem vs Sergei in a stand up battle where Overeem wins with technique and power to avenge his loss.
What it will be: Overeem vs. Barnett and that one is up for grabs because of Barnett's style.
I don't think Barnett will take Overeem down but then again, Overeem might be reluctant to throw his bombs because he knows Barnett is lethal on the ground. Overeem needs to learn to play take down defense and stand up offense simultaneously. Gotta remember, this one will be 5 rounds. Overeem better show some better endurance.
I'm hella' excited.
Bigfoot is a promising fighter with all do respect to werdum he should have finished werdum in the fight but was to tentative. I say bigfoot will beat overeem and pretty soundly...If werdum would have stayed on his feet i think he would have beat overeem. he did have the better shots of the fight...overeem is overrated and has no chin to start with...