The Big Questions is a regular series on The MMA Manifesto where we try to answer the burning questions heading into a major MMA event. In this edition, we team up with the 2010 MMA Manifesto MMA Pick ‘Em Contest champion Dave Hunter to break down Strikeforce: Fedor vs Silva.
1) Was Fedor Emelianenko’s loss to Fabricio Werdum just a fluke or a sign of things to come? Do you expect him to bounce back on Saturday?
“I wouldn’t call it a “fluke”, since it wasn’t a matter of Fabricio Werdum getting lucky – it was more a case of Fedor Emelianenko being sloppy. I don’t see that happening tomorrow versus Antonio Silva – Big Foot will want to trade on his feet and Fedor will be more than happy to oblige. This should be the perfect bounce-back fight for The Last Emperor – assuming he hasn’t looked past Silva and underestimated him, which is no guarantee considering Fedor seems to have Alistair Overeem’s name in his mouth on a continuous basis.” – Jeff Fox
“I do believe that Fedor’s loss to Werdum was a fluke. The fact that Werdum was a clearly larger opponent means nothing if one knows of Fedor’s fight history…Fedor simply rushed in and got caught. Fedor has fought jiu-jitsu wizards before and should have known better than to rush into Werdum’s guard. I do expect him to bounce back this Saturday with a victory via TKO. In Fedor’s fight he dropped Werdum with one of his patented overhands (which eventually spelt the end…), however, with that being said, in Silva’s last fight he showed in his stance that he keeps his hands relatively low from his head, and Kyle caught him, dropping Bigfoot to the floor. Yes, we are all aware that Silva did end up finishing off Kyle in the secod, partly in fact to Kyle gassing, as well as Silva’s granite chin keeping him in it. With Fedor’s speed however, look for the drop similar to Werdum, then the classic swarm ground and pound resulting in a stoppage and an advancement to the second round of the Grand Prix Tourney.” – Dave Hunter
2) If Fedor and Alistair Overeem both win as expected, will a match between them really, actually take place in the semifinals of the Heavyweight Tournament, or will one of the men back out of it?
“I will only believe in a Fedor-Overeem fight taking place once both men are in the cage and the door is locked. Fedor’s constant posturing for Overeem to undergo extensive drug testing just seems to me like he is preparing excuses to back out of a fight against him. Newsflash Fedor and M-1 Global – your opponent tomorrow night, Antonio Silva, has a failed drug test on his record; Alistair Overeem does not.” – Jeff Fox
“I hate to say it, but I do think that if the two are scheduled to meet in the second round that Fedor will back out and we will see del Rosario or Johnson take his place. I’ve always thought that Fedor has fought fights that he can win, and has avoided fights where his skills and age come into question. I think someone as well-rounded and as strong as Overeem would take out Fedor given the opportunity, and given the constant contract disputes between M-1 and Strikeforce I believe yet another loophole will keep Fedor’s reputation intact.” – Dave Hunter
3) Former UFC champ Andrei Arlovski hasn’t won a fight since October 2008 – do you expect him to beat Sergei Kharitonov on Saturday?
“I don’t expect Andrei Arlovski to ever win another MMA fight. When Fedor connected with Arlovski’s face on January 24, 2009, he not only brutally knocked out Arlovski – he also ended his career. The man can’t take a punch anymore (similar to Chuck Liddell over the past few years) which spells disaster in MMA, especially in the heavyweight ranks.” – Jeff Fox
“I believe Kharitonov is one of the dark horses to watch in this tourney, and I do believe that Arlovski’s Chuck Liddell-like slide will continue,not leaving many options afterwards as he would have lost to Fedor, Rogers, Silva and Kharitonov… four of the 8 men chosen to be in the tourney…and would Strikeforce really put him up against the other top names, with the exception of possibly Werdum to avenge his 2007 UFC loss? I’m pretty sure Overeem and Barnett would be off the table for a “comeback” fight too at that point. The power of Kharitonov combined with his K-1 kicks will spell the end for Arlovski.” – Dave Hunter
4) Who’s your pick to win the whole tournament?
“It’s really a toss-up for me at this point between Fedor and Alistair Overeem. But, if pressed to pick, I’m going to go with Overeem. His striking is among the best – if not the best – in the heavyweight ranks and I think he is just too big, too strong and too good for anyone in this tournament to beat, included Fedor.” – Jeff Fox
“Given his new attitude towards his proper training, I look for Overeem to show the other seven men why he is the Strikeforce Champ. Overeem has gone on record that he wants the Heavyweight Championship in every major organization. He already has the DREAM, K-1, and Strikeforce Heavyweight Championship (which I believe he will defend)…which only leaves one stop left for the Reem…the UFC. I believe fights fans will be treated to Overeem’s arrival into the UFC by mid to late 2012, as this tourney is likely to end early in the New Year, given the standard medical suspensions following each fight. Overeem will no doubt have his hands full with Werdum, however, he will avenge his 2006 PRIDE loss. Look for Overeem to meet the winner of Shane del Rosario vs Lavar Johnson as a replacement to Fedor…as I believe the M-1/Strikeforce saga will continue. From here Overeem will most likely match up against Josh Barnett from the other side of the bracket (which I believe is the weaker of the two sides).” – Dave Hunter
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