Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker on Jan. 13 announced that all of the Strikeforce heavyweight tournament quarterfinal and semi-final bouts will be three round contests, clearing up confusion about whether matches involving current champ Alistair Overeem — or whomever might beat him along the way — would be five-round matches.
The final of the eight-man tournament will be the only five-round bout, Coker said during a media call. The tournament winner will be crowned the grand prix champion and have the chance to fight for the Strikeforce title.
If a tournament fight ends in a draw, an independent fourth official will determine the fighter to advance, Coker said. Should a winning fighter be unable to continue, a special committee would determine a replacement from the other available heavyweights and reserve bout competitors.
Pending injury, the semi-finals could take place in late June or July, Coker said, although a firm decision has not been made.
To this point, Strikeforce has not made any mention of up-and-coming heavyweight Daniel Cormier being a possible reserve competitor, but Coker said he’ll be in the mix.
“He will be a fighter we look to in the pool,” Coker said. “He will definitely be in the mix.”
Coker said that Cormier could participate in a reserve fight at an upcoming show.
Coker also did not rule out the possibility of former pro wrestler Bobby Lashley making his return. However, Coker also said that he had last been told that Lashley intended to perform on some pro wrestling shows before returning to MMA.
The tournament kicks off on Feb. 12 in East Rutherfod, N.J., with bouts between Fedor Emelianenko and Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva and Andrei Arlovski vs. Sergei Kharitonov. The promotion also recently announced three other heavyweight bouts to fill out the remainder of the main card:
Shane del Rosario vs. Lavar Johnson
Chad Griggs vs. Gian Villante
Valentijn Overeem vs. Ray Sefo