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Earlier today Strikeforce held a media call for it’s upcoming World Grand Prix Tournament. On the line were Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker, Feb. 12 event headliners Fedor Emelianenko and Antonio Silva, along with M-1 Global Co-Founder Vadim Finkelchtein and Showtime Sports Executive Vice President and General Manager Ken Hershman.
The big news revealed by Coker was that the Strikeforce heavyweight title, currently held by Alistair Overeem, would not be on the line during the tournament. All quarterfinal and semifinal bouts would be scheduled for three, five-minute rounds, while the tournament final would be five, five-minute rounds. The winner of the tournament would earn a belt for the “Strikeforce World Grand Prix championship” and would then go on to face Overeem for the heavyweight title next. Unless it was Overeem who won the tournament, in which case he’d add another belt to his collection.
If any match should be fought to a draw a fourth independent judge will decide the winner.
Here are a few of the best Twitter updates concerning today’s media call from @Strikeforce and @SHOsports.
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– @cokersf says Feb 12 card has been largest pre-sale ever for #strikeforce event. Tix go on sale to the general public tomorrow. #hwgrandprix
-@cokersf says if there is a draw in the #hwgrandprix an independent 4th judge will determine who advances
– The @Strikeforce heavyweight tournament fights will be 3 rounds and @alistairovereem ’s title will not be on the line.
– If @allistairovereem wins #hwgrandprix he will be the dual hw title holder and Grand Prix champion #mma
– Fedor on his mindset after his loss last year: “nothing has changed with me. i train just as i have trained before.” #hwgrandprix
– “i made an error in the previous fight. in training i have worked to make sure i don’t make the same error again”
– Big Foot Silva says Fedor is a legend, but he will prove he is ready to be the best heavyweight in the world.
– Fedor on getting revenge after loss to Werdum “I’m ready and prepared to step into the cage with Fabricio again at any time”
– Big Foot Silva: “I’m going to beat the legend and I’m going to be a legend”
– Fedor won’t predict who he wants to fight in the second round. focusing on fight with Silva b/c “that’s dangerous and difficult enough”
– Fedor on training in mountains “All i do up there is train, eat & sleep…that’s what allows me to be in maximum shape leading up to a fight.”
– Fedor’s response: “I never believed that I was the best fighter in the world”