MMA Combat - Strikeforce - Overeem vs. Werdum, Results

MMA Combat - Strikeforce - Overeem vs. Werdum, Results

Saturday June 18, 2011, Strikeforce - Overeem vs. Werdum went live from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, where promotion champion Alistair Overeem would get his shot at redemption against Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black-belt Fabricio Werdum; this time, the two met in the quarterfinals of the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix and the Golden Glory representative executed the game-plan most spectators had drawn up for him coming into the bout.

Possessing a clear strength advantage, Overeem was able to neutralize Werdum's sub-par wrestling ability to keep the fight where he felt most comfortable. Several times Werdum was able to use well-timed combinations to keep the massive striker on the defense, but strong counter shots would often result in the submission ace pulling guard, or at least attempting to do so. A gassed Overeem had slowed considerably by the third frame, which amounted to Werdum's best offense of the match - surprisingly on their feet; but it was too little too late, as the heavyweight champ earned a unanimous decision with more efficient striking and effective ring generalship. Alistair Overeem will now meet Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva in the tournament semi-finals, expected to take place later this year.

In the co-main event, Josh Barnett was simply too much for Brett Rogers to handle as his superior grappling ability made the bout seem like a walk in the park. Shooting in for the take-down almost immediately, Barnett slammed Rogers to the mat and went to work with smothering top control and well placed ground and pound. Surviving the first, Rogers fared no better in the second as Barnett used quick hips to ground his opponent once more. Mounting Rogers almost effortlessly, Barnett unleashed a series of strikes before securing an arm-triangle choke to end the bout at 1:17 of round two. Josh Barnett advances to the tournament semi-finals where he will face hard-hitting Russian Sergei Kharitonov.

Other results from the evening's card are found below:

1 Isaac Vallie-Flagg def Brian Melancon via Decision (Split) rd3 5:00
2 Nah-Shon Burrell def Joe Ray via Decision (Unanimous) rd3 5:00
3 Conor Heun def Magno Almeida via Decision (Unanimous) rd3 5:00
4 Justin Wilcox vs. Gesias Cavalcante ND (Wilcox Accidentally Poked in Eye) rd2 0:31
5 Chad Griggs def Valentijn Overeem via Submission (Punches) rd1 2:08
6 Daniel Cormier def Jeff Monson via Decision (Unanimous) rd3 5:00
7 Jorge Masvidal def K.J. Noons via Decision (Unanimous) rd3 5:00
8 Josh Barnett def Brett Rogers via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) rd2 1:17
9 Alistair Overeem def Fabricio Werdum via Decision (Unanimous) rd 3 5:00
10 Todd Moore def Mike Bronzoulis via Decision (Unanimous) rd3 5:00