• Strikeforce: Overeem v Werdum

Werdum booed as Overeem and Barnett triumph

ESPN staff
June 19, 2011
Alistair Overeem always enjoyed the better of the striking exchanges © Getty Images
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Alistair Overeem came to the party at the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix on Saturday, but he struggled to find a dance partner as Fabricio Werdum fell to a timid unanimous decision defeat in the main event in Dallas.

The pair were fighting for the right to challenge Fedor Emelianenko's conqueror, Antonio Bigfoot Silva, in the semi-finals, but the bout was not even close to being worthy of the occasion. Werdum had been the man to end the legendary Emelianenko's 11-fight win streak, but any kudos gained from that result was lost by his alkaline display against Overeem.

This time Werdum delivered a reminder of why he was cut by the UFC, and a reminder of why Dana White has always used the Brazilian to mock Emelianenko. Beaten by Werdum? That's not UFC material.

Overeem came to strike but, after a brief exchange when Werdum seemed to more than hold his own, the Brazilian went for the takedown and failed. It would be the first of many attempts, largely stuffed by Overeem, who rode cautiously to a 30-27 30-27 29-28 decision.

The second round will have done little for Werdum's reputation or future, after he hit the mat on several occasions, staying there in an attempt to beckon Overeem into his guard. Clearly Werdum knew, as everybody in Dallas did, that his jiu-jitsu game was the only route to victory, but he had no idea of how to take the fight to an area where he could use it.

Overeem did enter guard on a couple of occasions, staying out of danger, and while he never landed anything huge when striking, he was always comfortable. A late Werdum kneebar attempt was desperate rather than calculated, and the boos at the end of the fight were aimed largely at one man.

Former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett is also through to the semi-finals, thanks to a submission victory over Brett Rogers. The classic catch wrestling style was on full view as Barnett completely took Rogers out of his comfort zone, forcing a second round arm triangle stoppage.

Rogers remains a one-trick pony inside the Octagon, but that did not taint the impressive nature of Barnett's work as he lifted his rival off the mat, slamming him into the canvas before transitioning into mount. His failure to inflict more punishment drew boos, but Barnett had already shown Rogers who was in total control.

Another takedown in the second, this time landing Barnett straight into full mount, saw the veteran look for the arm triangle choke, and Rogers inevitably tapped with 1.17 gone in round two. Barnett now moves on to a clash with Sergei Kharitonov, where the standard of opposition can only improve.

Full results:
Alistair Overeem bt. Fabricio Werdum via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Josh Barnett bt. Brett Rogers via submission (arm-triangle choke) - Round 2, 1:17
Jorge Masvidal bt. KJ Noons via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Daniel Cormier bt. Jeff Monson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Chad Griggs bt. Valentijn Overeem via TKO (punches) - Round 1, 2:08
Justin Wilcox vs. Gesias "JZ" Cavalcante ruled a no-decision (accidental eyepoke by Cavalcante)
Conor Heun bt. Magno Almeida via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Nah-Shon Burrell bt. Joe Ray via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Isaac Vallie-Flagg bt. Brian Melancon via split-decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Todd Moore bt. Mike Bronzoulis via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

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