For Strikeforce heavyweight Brett Rogers (11-2) it’s been a rough year plus for him, having beaten ten straight opponents with his fists he had his confidence shaken after back-to-back defeats by Fedor Emelianenko and Alistair Overeem.
He’s gained some of that confidence back earning a win over Ruben “Warpath” Villareal at a W-1 event in Halifax, Canada last fall. It wasn’t one of his usual first round victories and “The Grim” had to grind out three rounds for the first time in his career to earn a unanimous decision.
Rogers spoke to MMAjunkie.com recently about fighting in the tournament, noting that he’s looking to go back to basics, he’s looking to have fun in the ring again.
Rogers will meet Josh Barnett in the opening quarterfinal of the Strikeforce World Grand Prixe eight man heavyweight tournament at an as yet-to-be announced Strikeforce event.
“I just need to show more and just gain that confidence with my right hand again,” he said. “I feel I haven’t been throwing it out there as much, so that’s all I’ve been throwing…It could be a one-rounder or it could go the distance. I’m definitely going to be prepared. The way I see it, the tournament starts in February, and I’m probably going to [fight] at a later date. So that gives me plenty of time to get my conditioning right. Barnett is no amateur fighter. He knows his way around the cage…I feel like I’m a little more focused, and I’m not trying to think as much. Before I was so into winning instead of just having fun. And this year, that’s all I plan on doing. If anything, just have fun, and the best things will happen.”