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Overeem 'Surprised' Strikeforce Made Such Lopsided Tournament Brackets

http://www.cagepotato.com/overeem-su...ament-brackets

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When Strikeforce announced that heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem would be fighting Fabricio Werdum in the quarter finals of its heavyweight grand prix and that the winner would be facing Fedor Emelianenko in the semi-finals, the news raised more than a few eyebrows.

According to "The Reem," even he was a bit taken aback by the San Jose, California-based promotion's decision to eliminate three heavily-anticipated potential final round match-ups so early in the tournament, but he says that it's not his job to question the decision of his employer and that he'll fight whomever Strikeforce puts in front of him.

"I have been looking for a big fight for more than a year now. Tournament or no tournament, Werdum was going to be my first fight in Strikeforce [in 2011]. All the fighters in that tournament are good, so there are no easy fights," he explained to MMAJunkie. "I'm a little surprised [that our bracket has myself, Fedor and Fabricio in it], and I don't know why this bracket is designed this way, but my job is to fight. I'm not picking opponents, so if that's the way they made the bracket, so be it."

The Dutch fighter says that, besides the potential three bouts he could end up fighting in the Strikeforce tournament, he is planning to defend his DREAM interim title belt and to fight for K-1 as many times as possible this year.

"When my schedule allows it, I will always try to find more fights. I’m a active fighter, so I will never say no to a fight if my management can make the fight,: Overeem says. "I’m focusing on one fight at a time, and my management will talk to the promoter and see when we are ready to fight in Japan."

Although Overeem says that his goal for 2011 is to fight and win as many times as possible, his priority is to win the Strikeforce tournament to shut up his detractors who have been calling "The Demolition Man" a "can crusher."

"[If I win the grand prix] I can show the American fans that I’m the No. 1 fighter of Strikeforce, he explains. "Entering such a tournament is not only great for the MMA fans but also a great way to prove that I’m the best fighter in the world."

So Fedor isn't fighting Bigfoot now?

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Originally Posted by Mac (Post 783038)

So Fedor isn't fighting Bigfoot now?

Isnt Fedor vs.Big foot, and Werdum vs. AO on one side. Then Khar vs. AA, and Rogers vs, Barnett on the other?

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Originally Posted by GL Jeff (Post 783039)

Isnt Fedor vs.Big foot, and Werdum vs. AO on one side. Then Khar vs. AA, and Rogers vs, Barnett on the other?

I thought so but it says the winner of AO/Werdum will be facing Fedor in the next round. I guess whoever wrote this is just assuming Fedor already won his fight. I don't know but man, that's some terrible journalism if so.

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Originally Posted by Mac (Post 783038)

So Fedor isn't fighting Bigfoot now?

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Originally Posted by GL Jeff (Post 783039)

Isnt Fedor vs.Big foot, and Werdum vs. AO on one side. Then Khar vs. AA, and Rogers vs, Barnett on the other?

I think Overeem is just assuming Fedor will win and not even worried about mentioning Big Foot's name.

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Originally Posted by Sakara=Excitement (Post 783041)

I think Overeem is just assuming Fedor will win and not even worried about mentioning Big Foot's name.

It's not Overeem assuming this. According to the first sentence of the article, it's Strikeforce assuming this.

AO is pretty dumb if he is dismissing the other side as irrelevant. A solid showing by Barnett or AA easily balances out the sides (that is a big unknown though). Hopefully they both show up in proper form.

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Originally Posted by Mac (Post 783043)

It's not Overeem assuming this. According to the first sentence of the article, it's Strikeforce assuming this.

I dont even think Coker has a clue what's going on.

I still think this thing is going to fall apart. Someone is going to get injured before they fight, or after the first round Fedor's camp is going to throw a monkey wrench into this.

The best thing for strikeforce is if Werdum wins the whole thing. Fedor runs into management problems constantly and could potentially screw up the tournaments as he advances. Overeem winning on the other hand would establish his belt but he may choose to once again not defend it for another 2 years after winning the tournament. AA has been shotty and Barnett runs into steroid problems constantly in the US. Antonio Silva, Kharitinov and Rogers are not as marketable.

Werdum's name, on the other hand, is still in the headlines as the guy to dethrone the greatest fighter of all time. If Werdum beats Overeem (again) and Fedor (again) and let's say beats a Barnett or an Arlovski from the other side of the bracket, he would easily establish himself as the #1 HW. Plus, I can see him actually staying with the company and defending the title.

Obviously, if Fedor didn't have these management contract negotiations issues, it would be best for strikeforce if he wins it but as we have seen, the issues will continue.