After The Bell: Strikeforce Grand Prix Results by Josh/ MMA Valor
Strikeforce Grand Prix Main Card Results
The Strikeforce Grand Prix has begun and what a start to the eight man tournament it was. Neither fight saw the judges’ scorecards and every fight finished before the third round begun. Every fight was filled with action from the heavyweights and since the fights didn’t last long none of the big guys gassed out.
Besides the fights Strikeforce announced that female MMA fighter Gina Carano will finally be coming back to the Strikeforce cage. During her rather awkward ringside interview Carano said she is back in the gym training and hope to return later this year. More info to come on when Carano will officially return and a possible opponent, here are the results from the night’s main card.
Fedor Emelianenko vs. Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva – Antonio Silva by 2nd round TKO (Doctor Stoppage)
The last fight of the main card was the only one to make it past the second round and it was also an anti-climatic end to the night. Fedor came out throwing bombs from out of nowhere, but he also never really looked into the fight either. Silva landed the better of the exchanges and took Fedor down in the first but Fedor got back up. As the second round opened Silva timed a perfect takedown and the beginning of the end was near. Silva battered Fedor the entire round, getting full mount and attempting several submissions. The ground and pound of Silva was nasty and his hammerfists closed up the left eye of Fedor. In between the second and third rounds the referee saw that eye and waved off the fight, giving the TKO victory to Silva who advances to the semi-finals of the grand prix. Following the fight Fedor hinted at retirement in his post fight in ring interview.
Andrei Arlovski vs. Sergei Kharitonov – Sergei Kharitonov by 1st round KO
The first Grand Prix bout kicked the tournament off with a bang as Andrei Arlovski and Sergei Kharitonov went toe to toe. Arlovski came out looking light on his feet while Kharitonov stalked his opponent waiting for the opening to strike. That opening came minutes into the first with an uppercut that wobbled Arlovski who retreated with his hand down and paid by getting knocked out. Kharitonov advances to the semi-finals and Arlovski has now lost four fights in a row.
Shane Del Rosario vs. Lavar Johnson – Shane Del Rosario by 1st round submission (Armbar)
This bout will serve as the #1 reserve match should one of the eight get injured. Johnson came on strong with his striking and actually took Del Rosario down in the early going. Del Rosario hung in there and once he got his own takedown, he quickly moved to mount and as the round came to an end Del Rosario sunk in a armbar that forced the tap.
Chad Griggs vs. Gian Villante – Chad Griggs by 1st round TKO
WOW. This bout started right away with both fighters throwing wild crazy punches at each other at a reckless pace. Chad Griggs came out landing the cleaner shots and staggered Villante multiple times. Griggs survived a nice head kick by Villante that blooded his ear to land a flurry of haymakers on Villante that dropped him, forcing the Referee to stop the bout.
Valentijn Overeem vs. Ray Sefo – Valentijin Overeem by 1st round submission (Neck Crank)
Sefo started out strong pushing Overeem back with his striking, which forced Overeem to look for the takedown. Overeem used a sloppy takedown to get Sefo down and inside control, slipped in a nasty neck crank that force Sefo to tapout.
Strikeforce Grand Prix Undercard Results
Taking a page from the UFC, Strikeforce teamed up with HDNet tonight to televise the majority of the nights undercard action. A total of four undercard bouts were shown with the night’s action being called by a dream duo of Michael Schiavello and Bas Rutten.
Listening to “The Voice” and “El Guapo” call the bouts tonight was amazing and a pleasure to listen too. The fans have wanted to see the two work together for a long time and thanks needs to go out to HDNet for making it happen. The worst part of having to listen to them is know that come the main card we’ll be relegated to the Showtime announcers.
The move to televise the undercard bouts is a great one by Strikeforce and will only help to improve their overall exposure. It’s unsure if HDNet will only be televising the undercard bouts for this event, all the heavyweight grand prix cards or will this be a regular occurrence.
Everyone should contact both Strikeforce and HDNet and tell them how much you enjoyed the undercard bouts and the announcing combination of “The Voice” Michael Schiavello and “El Guapo” Bas Rutten. Here is how the undercard played out:
HDNet Televised Prelims
Marc Stevens vs. John Cholish – John Cholish by 2nd round Submission (Knee Bar)
The final undercard bout saw TUF 12 fighter Marc Stevens making his Strikeforce debut against Renzo Gracie trained John Cholish. Stevens really didn’t look good in the fight and Cholish completely dominated the fight. Stevens didn’t get choked out like he did twice on the reality show but unfortunately he was still submitted via a slick knee bar.
Igor Gracie vs. John Salgado – Igor Gracie by 2nd round Submission (Side Choke)
The third generation Gracie, Igor Gracie made his Strikeforce debut and his first fight in over a year and out classed John Salgado on the ground. It didn’t take long for the fight to hit that canvas and once it did Gracie took over and finished the fight via submission in the second round.
Don Carlo-Clauss vs. Sam Oropeza – Sam Oropeza by 1st round Submission (Verbal Tabout)
An action packed fight between these two, but Sam Oropera was just too much for the man with three names Don Carlo-Clauss. Oropeza who trains with Bellator champion Eddie Alvarez landed a glancing knee that brought the fight to the ground where he quickly finished with ground and pound.
Josh LaBerge vs. Anthony Leone – Josh LaBerge by 1st round TKO (doctor stoppage)
This fight ended between rounds via doctor stoppage do to a busted up nose on the face of Anthony Leone. Josh Laberge landed a jumping knee from in the clinch before being taken down by Leone and the flood gates opened from the nose of Leone.
Untelevised Prelim
Jason McLean vs. Kevin Roddy – Jason Maclean by split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
