Strikeforce World Heavyweight GP could be put on hold
Posted on February 22, 2011, 03:04 AM by Ryan VenturaThe first half of the Strikeforce World Heavyweight Grand Prix was a memorable event. From top to bottom, each fight had it's own epic moment. From Sergei Kharitonov's brutal knockout victory over Andrei Arlovski, to Antonio Silva's dominance over Fedor Emelianenko. The last Strikeforce event was a hot ticket in the world of MMA and fans worldwide were looking forward to the watching the other half of the quarterfinals. Unfortunately, we might have to wait a little longer till we get to see Alistair Overeem fight Fabricio Werdum and Brett Rogers take on Josh Barnett. Check out the recent report from Sherdog:
"Sherdog.com learned today via sources close to the promotion that Strikeforce is planning to run its previously scheduled April date in California, and that the two remaining quarterfinal bouts will most likely be pushed off the card."
Well that sucks. Just when the promotion was getting a lot of positive feed back and attention, something like this happens. So what will become of the remaining quarterfinal bouts? Well according to Sherdog's sources those fights could be replaced by Tatsuya Kawajiri versus Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez and Nick Diaz versus Tyron Woodley or Paul Daley, depending on how he does at BAMMA 5 event against Yuya Shirai.
Seeing Kawajiri take on Melendez for the Strikeforce Lightweight strap and Diaz fighting Woodley or Daley, would be high caliber main event fights that would attract the diehard Mixed Martial Arts faithful. However, in order to keep the casual fans who would normally not tune into a Strikeforce card, the promotion needs to find a way to keep this event going on schedule. All the time, money, and effort that went into promoting this tournament would all go to waste. Hopefully, Strikeforce will manage to sort it out and the Heavyweight Tournament will go along as smoothly as planned.
Stay tuned to LowKick.com for more.
Comments
what? why? there better be a good goddamn reason....and i mean good
Steroid schedules for Reem and Barnett conflict with the GP.
BRING ON THE "WEAK"... hahaha
Dont think Josh can fight in Cali. from his last two tests and he refused to take one last year
I really hope this is a HOAX! This cannot be happening fellas! Please! Get back on the Horse!
LOL you look like you're ready to audition for the next Jersey Shore season, i would change your pic LOL
Really... well thank you HunterB. But I'm a Mormon and do not drink or party.
*Moron
... california was an option? barnett is fighting remember.... Japan was the grand idea for this event.... there are many other places if japan falls short.. better get to japan.. ufc is about to..
Josh should of just applied for the application, and got denied in California rather than leaving it in limbo. It makes it harder for other states AC to sanction you when you are in limbo from another states AC. Other options with Japan prob being the safety net would be to try to get them approved in Texas, or Missouri 2 states that are much more liberal in terms of sanctioning fights, and less competitive matches.
Surprise, surprise Josh Barnett ****s up another MMA org's plans.
Dis is something dat SF has 2 sort ot straight away dey are finally getin da same respect if not more for one of der division's and 4 wat der doin in da sport Barrnet i should be doin wat he can 2 be able 2 fight in US not just given up and should start showin Croker and SF more respect 4 given him a chance 2 fight in somthing so big
Wat de fuk man?
pull yr head out of yr arse barrnet is a fool nd so ar yu
Why the heck are they pushing these fights off the card. Strikeforce better not drop the ball. AGAIN!
These tourney events are already too spaced apart.
haha O i just love strikeforces event organization skillz
I wouldn't worry about it. Alistair Overeem vs. Fabricio Werdum is still going to happen this year and Brett might have a new opponent.
I was 50/50 on Barnett passing a drug test but, hey, we're here now. Nothing ever goes according to plan. In my opinion, Strikeforce should just replace Josh and give the rising star [Shane Del Rosario] a shot. I would rather see a Rosario-Kharitonov match up anyways.
well that sucks just when strikeforce was getting their act together they remind us just how incompetent they really are. it has to more than just josh if that was the only issue they could of had it in canada or a indian res
Well maybe Croker might pull another PRIDE moment and make Alistair Overeem, Fabricio Werdum, Brett Rogers, Antonio Silva, Josh Barnett, and Sergei Kharitonov all fight on the same night.
OR most likely Croker will just make the winner of the Overeem/Werdum fight again in a month. Because I highly doubt the bout will last longer than two rounds. Plus, I hear the tournament favorite still hasn't been paid from his outing at K-1 - more motive.
I personally think Croker/Strikeforce have a contingency plan. But you're right, in some form, one or two fighters will be put at a disadvantage of some sort.
Is this confirmed officially? Even if it true, I'd still be willing to wait. This tourney kicks ass regardless.
I knew something like this will happen
I knew as well, strike force is a small time promotion. that is not a bad thing unless you start trying to take on a giant promotion like the UFC. its been tried before and where are the ones who tried Out of Business.
well so much for the GP, chances are they will eventually call it off now.
no fedor vs reem then no tourney
I think, it was on hold for some reasons. Barnett cannot get his license, so instead of Barnett, Fedor fights with Rogers. Fedor needs some time to heal, so that's why it is on hold. Maybe, it will be only Werdum vs Overeem in April and Rogers vs Fedor in May.