LowKick.com Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum Staff Predictions

Strikeforce Heavyweight GP Quarter-Final: Alistair Overeem vs. Fabricio Werdum
Top Prediction: Reem via TKO in Round 1.

Anton Gurevich: Alistair Overeem is one of the best Heavyweights on the planet. Period. Werdum is a great fighter and one of the best himself, but I can’t see how he has anything to offer against The Reem in addition to his BJJ skills. Still, Vai Cavalo has the X factor on his side, so I expect this fight too be a war. But not for too long. Alistair Overeem via TKO on Round 2.

Joey Santosus: This fight pits the division's top striker against its top grappler, but it’s the fighter who can remain competitive if forced to work outside of their respective craft who will likely come out on top Saturday. With this in mind, I like Overeem's chances defending off his back more so than I like Werdum's if forced to stand with "The Reem." Alistair Overeem via 1st Rnd TKO

Ryan Ventura: Both men are riding off huge victories in their respective careers. The Reem is the most recent winner of one of kickboxing’s most prestigious titles and Fabricio Werdum is the very first man to legitimately beat Fedor. This will be a tough fight to call, but I believe with Alistair Overeem’s world class striking and well-rounded grappling game will be more than enough to win the fight. Reem via 2nd round TKO.

Scott Johnson (KamikazeOverdrive): In their first fight Overeem was winning until Werdum caught him with a Kimura from the bottom. Overeem has improved significantly since that fight and unless Werdum can catch him in another sub I expect Alistair will be too much for Werdum. I’m picking Alistair Overeem to win by stoppage.

Strikeforce Heavyweight GP Quarter-Final: Josh Barnett vs. Brett Rogers
Top Prediction: Barnett via Submission in Round 2.

Anton Gurevich: In addition to his physical strength, Josh Barnett is a very well-rounded fighter, something that Brett Rogers lacked in his previous fights. But Brett Rogers has a demonic KO power in his hands, and a fighting style that may prevent from JB to execute his gameplan. I’ll go for the upset here. “The Grim” via KO in Round 1.

Joey Santosus: It’s difficult to say with any certainty what we can expect from either of these Heavyweights. Barnett hasn't competed in the U.S. since 2009 and Rogers has shown to be quite inconsistent as of late. I wouldn't be surprised to see "The Grim" land a heavy shot for the upset, but his promises to be more well-rounded make me think he'll end up in a bad spot. Josh Barnett via 2nd Rnd Sub.

Ryan Ventura: Josh Barnett is considered one of MMA’s elite Heavyweight grapplers and Brett Rogers is best known for his twenty-two second TKO of Andrei Arlovski. Rogers striking may not be technical, but if one punch lands you could be lights out. However, Barnett is the much more experienced fighter. I can see him most likely taking it to the ground right away and tapping Rogers out. Barnett via 1st round submission.

Scott Johnson: Rogers will need to land a big strike early if he has any chance in this fight. His endurance was a major issue in his last bout against a sub .500 fighter. Barnett will look to put Rogers on his back and zap his energy so I’ve got Josh Barnett to be victorious by stoppage.

Jeff Monson vs. Daniel Cormier
Top Prediction: Cormier via Decision.

Anton Gurevich: Jeff Monson will have experience, Jiu-Jitsu and a-good-enough-wrestling on his side against Daniel Cormier. I expect Monson to be much better on his feet, but this fight will be decided by his ability to fight off his back and finding his way into dominant positions against an elite wrestler in Daniel Cormier. Jeff Monson via Submission in Round 3.

Joey Santosus: While this fight was initially expected to pit Cormier against fellow prospect Del Rosario, "The Snowman" will likely prove to be the AKA product's toughest test to date. Cormier's wrestling pedigree could easily prove too much for the aging Monson, but I'm going to take the veteran to catch the up and comer on the mat late in the bout. Jeff Monson via 3rd Rnd Sub.

Ryan Ventura: This fight here could be a classic match up of two wrestlers going head-to-head, standing toe-to-toe. Instead of this fight becoming a Division I wrestling clinic, I could see it turn into a slugfest. This fight could go either way, but I’m picking the young and hungry Daniel Cormier to come home with the victory. Cormier via 2nd round TKO.

Scott Johnson: Monson has some of the best grappling skills in the heavyweight division, but he is on the downturn of his career. Cormier’s grappling skills and improving stand up will allow him to dictate the pace of the fight. Monson is tough to finish, so I’ve got Daniel Cormier to win by decision.

Valentijn Overeem vs. Chad Griggs
Top Prediction: Oldereem via TKO in Round 2

Anton Gurevich: We don’t know yet what to expect from Chad Griggs. “The Grave Digger” will have a mountain to climb against Overeem, who’s very good on his feet and on the ground. It’s a very interesting match-up that can reveal a lot about the fireman from Tuscon, but I would still pick Valentijn Overeem to walk away with a Submission victory in Round 2.

Joey Santosus: It's no secret that "The Grave Digger" was brought in last year as an "easy" opponent for Bobby Lashley, but two fights and two TKO victories later, he'll face the elder Overeem brother.  Though "The Python" may not be the fighter his kid brother is, I expect him to bring a not so happy ending to Griggs' Cinderella story. Valentijn Overeem via 2nd Rnd KO.

Ryan Ventura: Another toe-to-toe, stand and bang type battle. Valentjin Overeem not only has the edge in experience, but in his all-round skill set. But I can’t see it going to the ground and ‘Valenreem’ will defeat Griggs in devastating fashion on the feet. Valenreem via 1st round KO.

Scott Johnson: Chad Griggs has played the role of the underdog quite successfully of late, but Valentijn Overeem will present the biggest challenge of his career. Overeem’s combination of striking and ground skills will be too much for Griggs’ brawling style, look for Overeem to take it to the mat early and defeat Chad Griggs by submission.

Jorge Masvidal vs. KJ Noons
Top Prediction: Karl James Noons via TKO in Round 3

Anton Gurevich: Jorge Masvidal is a great fighter, who can go toe to toe against KJ Noons on his feet during all three rounds. The outcome of this fight really depends on Masvidal’s gamepan, and his ability to take KJ Noons out of his comfort zone. Can he do it? Personally, I don’t think so. KJ Noons via Decision.

Joey Santosus: Noons has not be discreet about the fact that he is looking past this fight in hopes of challenging for the Lightweight strap, and with Masvidal's willingness to stand and trade with opponents, this could very well come to fruition.  However, I'm going to assume "Gamebred" comes in with a smarter gameplan and uses his grappling edge to make things ugly. Jorge Masvidal via Split Decision.

Ryan Ventura: This potentially could have knockout of the night and fight of the night written all over it. Both men are extremely hungry to boost up their stock in MMA’s Lightweight rankings for a Strikeforce title shot. It will all be left on the line in the cage on Saturday with both men ‘standing and banging’. Only one will be left standing and I believe that man will be KJ Noons at the end of the night. Noons via KO 1st round.

Scott Johnson: I expect Masvidal to fair surprisingly well against KJ in the striking department. KJ has had issues against fighters with a significant reach advantage which Jorge will have and I like what I saw from Jorge is his last bout . Look for Masvidal to take Noons out of his comfort zone by mixing in a lot of takedowns. Noons will spend a good portion of the fight on his back and Jorge Masvidal wins by decision.