Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum Conference Call Highlights

Heavyweight Champion Alistair Overeem and Fabricio Werdum will headline the stacked Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum fight card, set to take place June 18th from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.  A second Heavyweight showdown between Josh Barnett and Brett Rogers will serve as co-main event, while undefeated prospect Daniel Cormier meets veteran Jeff Monson.  Valentijn Overeem will look to pick up his second consecutive promotional victory against Chad Griggs and K.J. Noons goes head to head with Jorge Masvidal with Lightweight title implications on the line.

Below are highlights from today's Media Conference Call, which included Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker, along with headliners Alistair Overeem and Fabricio Werdum.

To get things started, Coker revealed that Women's Welterweight star Gina Carano would no longer be a part of the line-up after failing to obtain medical clearance for her match-up with Sarah D'Alelio.

In addition, Coker discussed the potential implications of next Saturday's Lightweight bouts, as well as future Grand Prix Tournament dates:

"(KJ Noons vs. Jorge Masvidal) potentially could have title implcations depending on the outcome and how they perform.  I also think that the JZ (Gesias Cavalcante) vs. (Justin) Wilcox fight, on the undercard, will as well.  So those are two Lightweight fights that I think are going to have title implications, but we'll see how they perform and thats a conversation we will have on June 19th."

"Were looking at sometime in the early Fall.  We'll have an announcement probably in the next week or so, but we plan on early Fall for the next tournament date.  (Finishing the Grand Prix in 2011) was the original plan, but if it carries over into 2012 and we can finish it within a calender year, that would still be sufficient."

Alistair Overeem

• I've focused on myself.  I always sit down with my team, I look at my opponent, I look at their strong points, I look at their weak points.  Then we make a plan, a back-up plan, and a back-up, back-up plan.

• Yes I do (look back at the loss to Werdum for motivation), and no I don't.  I have a lot of motivation believe me.  I'm just happy this fight is happening.  You will see next Saturday how motivated I am.

• I like the challenges that lie in front of me.  You're going to have to fight the strongest guy anyway, so I never complain about a fight.

• I like the idea of a ring, but I think the cage is more safe - you can't fall out it. Basically, I've trained a lot of stuff in the last five years.  I think the cage is one of the facts of MMA today, so yes i have been training differently now than five years ago.

• I see this Grand Prix as an opportunity to show, not only to the fans in the U.S., but to fans all over the world, that I am number one.  And you don't become number one by beating "no-names" you have to beat the names.

• (Unifying the Strikeforce and UFC Heavyweight titles) definitely is my plan, but lets take it one step at a time.  I'm taking this fight very serious.  If you look at our records, its a very exciting fight.

• What am I going to do to defend against Fabricio's incredible jiu-jitsu?  I can't tell you that because then I would give away my plan, but I'll just say I'm ready and I've been ready for a couple of weeks now.

• I see the American (MMA) market as the future.  Japan has some problems, especially with the terrible disaster happening there.  Definitely it has moved to the U.S., so I definitely want to make an impact.

• The difference between last time and this time is that you are going to see a way more aggressive Alistair Overeem.  I'll be looking for the knockout from the very first second.  We're both different fighters.

• For me (the importance of the Grand Prix) hasn't changed (since the ZUFFA buyout).  I'm just focused on this fight and I don't know what exactly is happening behind the scenes.  I heard about the GSP vs. Diaz fight, but that has no relevancy on my situation.

• If I win the tournament, I personally, and I believe many fans with me, would love to see the winner of the tournament against the UFC Heavyweight Champion, Cain Velasquez.

• I took a couple of weeks off (after winning the K-1 and DREAM titles) because my body needed to rest.  December was a very hectic month.  I always stay in very good shape, but I did need a couple weeks off.

• I've been working on a lot of moves since my last fight and you will see them all next Saturday, but I cant talk about them now.

Fabricio Werdum

• I'd like for Junior "Cigano" (dos Santos) to win (against Shane Carwin), because I like the idea of fighting him again in the future.

• The last fight, in 2006, in Pride, I like it because in the first round I beat Overeem and I'd like it to be in the first round this time too.  June is my month, because in June I beat Fedor too.

• For me the cage and the ring are the same.  I like it in the cage because they don't stop the fight, I don't like when they stop the fight and start again.

• Last time, in 2006, I was training only jiu-jitsu. But, now I am training a lot in stand-up too, I am training wrestling with Mark Munoz, I am training on the ground with my coach.  I am excited for this fight.

• Overeem is very good standing and I am very good on the ground.  Everyone knows, this is no secret, but I am very prepared. Overeem will be a big challenge, but I will show the world that I can beat him again.