What an awesome card we have here. For those of you who like to watch the heavyweights fight, there’s some great match-ups here. In fact, there’s only one non-heavyweight fight on the main card.

Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum” takes place Saturday, June 18, at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. The event features round two of the promotion’s heavyweight tournament which includes quarterfinal bouts between Alistair Overeem (34-11, 1 NC) vs. Fabricio Werdum (14-4-1) and Josh Barnett (29-5) vs. Brett Rogers (11-2).

Other heavyweight bouts on the card include Jeff Monson (42-11) vs. Daniel Cormier (7-0) and Chad Griggs (10-1) vs. Valentijn Overeem (29-25). Rounding out the main card, which will air LIVE on Showtime at 10 p.m. ET, is a lightweight bout between K.J. Noons (10-3) vs. Jorge Masvidal (21-6).

The ProMMAnow.com (www.prommanow.com) staff weighs in below with our thoughts and predictions on each fight. We have also included the odds on each fight. We want to hear from you too. Let us know your picks and why you feel the way you do.

Alistair Overeem -345 vs. Fabricio Werdum +275

RICHARD MANN: This fight represents an interesting style clash. Despite being a Brazilian jiu-jitsu guy, Werdum actually has some pretty sweet takedowns from the clinch position. At the same time, Overeem does his best striking in tight. If Werdum closes the distance to avoid strikes, he could end up eating the type of knees that forced K-1 to ban the Thai plum. I expect Overeem to control the fight and eventually score a finish. However, people need to remember that the Golden Glory product has fought virtually zero top competition in recent years. Overeem by TKO.

BRIAN FURBY: Alistair Overeem.

JACK BRATCHER: Alistair Overeem’s submissions and ground game is quite underrated. He actually has more wins via submission than he does knockouts. Do I think he will submit Fabricio? Hell no. Why? Because BJJ doesn’t work. Just joking. Overeem will want to keep this fight standing, and should be able to. We might even see Werdum get dropped and do some butt-scooting to invite Overeem to join him on the mat. Overeem’s only REAL submission loss was to Werdum five years ago. He’s much bigger and much better since then. As he said at the weigh-ins… “40 pounds of whoop ass is the difference” between old Overeem and new Overeem. Fabricio doesn’t stand a chance on the feet… literally not a chance. Overeem wins via cold-cocked knock out, eyes rolled back sleepy time KO.

DENNY HODGE: I’m back, and going out on a limb in this one. So far out on a limb… that I would fall off and land on my fat head if I were really on a limb. What I’m trying to say is that I’m taking Werdum. He took out Fedor, and he will take out “Ubereem.” How will he do it if he is so outgunned on the feet? By staying outside of Overeem’s range. Getting too close will get him murdered in the clinch, so he will take his chances outside. Overeem will catch Werdum, and will follow him to the mat looking for a “Brett-Rogeresque” donkey kong beat down, but Werdum will submit him… again.

JOSH CROSS: It’s been more than five years since these two met inside of a Pride ring, which resulted in Werdum getting the win via submission. But five years is a long time and it’s quite obvious that Overeem has greatly evolved since their last encounter. It has also been nearly a year since Werdum’s last fight and while it was a win over Fedor, I don’t see Overeem getting submitted during this fight. Werdum can’t afford to have any ring rust when he steps into the cage with the 2011 version of Overeem. I think Overeem is coming to get payback for his loss, and I think he gets it. Pick: Overeem via TKO

KELVIN HUNT: Alistair Overeem via TKO.

Josh Barnett -325 vs. Brett Rogers +265

RICHARD MANN: MMA is still extremely young, so I do not have any reservations when I say that Rogers has one of the most mismanaged careers in the history of the sport. Between taking fights that he was not ready for and sitting on the shelf, you could make the argument that he has actually regressed as a fighter. Anyone who saw his fight with Ruben “Warpath” Villareal would have a hard time arguing against that concept. Barnett has his shortcomings as a fighter, but he should still have more than enough game to score a victory here. Look for him to struggle to take Rogers down but eventually finish the fight on the floor. Barnett by decision.

BRIAN FURBY: Brett Rogers.

JACK BRATCHER: My mouth is still dropped open from looking at Furby’s pick of Rogers. Brett is such a nice guy. A really cool cat. But, he’s not on the same level as Barnett and most everyone knows this. A simple glance at the names of the only four people Barnett has ever lost to will prove this point. Brett has a puncher’s chance and that’s about it, and really not even much at that. Look for Barnett to initiate the clinch, put Brett down and submit him. Maybe even in the first round. I don’t see Barnett having much trouble with Brett at all.

DENNY HODGE: We know Brian Furby is crazy, considering he just got married…. Just kidding marriage is beautiful. But anyway, I like Furby’s pick. I have to say that I’m going for the upset in this one too. Brett Rogers won’t be gun shy in this one, and he has nothing to lose because nobody expects him to even compete against Barnett. Rogers by decision.

JOSH CROSS: It’s no secret that Rogers’ best chance to win this fight is to keep the fight standing. Barnett is a heavy favorite going into this fight, but I think there is a very real possibility that Rogers gets the upset with a TKO. I think what will happen though is the fight will start off on the feet and if Barnett doesn’t like what happens, he will take Rogers to the ground and dominate. Pick: Barnett via Submission.

KELVIN HUNT: Josh Barnett via TKO.

K.J. Noons -155 vs. Jorge Masvidal +125

RICHARD MANN: In MMA, the most successful strikers are the ones who can evade an opponent and counter effectively. Both of these fighters have that ability. With that being said, Noons is still the favorite, because he is more aggressive. Masvidal is dangerously passive in fights. He was in position to defeat Paul Daley, but his inactivity gave it away. Even though he dominated Billy Evangelista, that passivity was still on display. Noons should be the one walking forward most of the fight, and will be enough in the eyes of the sad judges. Noons by decision.

BRIAN FURBY: K.J. Noons.

JACK BRATCHER: Oh my god KJ looked like a toothpick today at the weigh-ins. It’s been quite awhile since he’s fought at lightweight and it will be interesting to see what effect if any that has on the fight. On the other hand, Masvidal has recently fought at lightweight, back in March. So take that for what it’s worth. This could be fight of the night. Both guys are fun to watch standing up. Masvidal is probably actually the better well-rounded fighter and if it goes to the ground, he could submit Noons. This is kind of a hard pick for me, because no doubt, Noons has some slick hands. I love his body shots (that sounded weird). I just think Masvidal is the better all-around fighter and is gritty as hell. Masvidal via decision.

DENNY HODGE: I love Masvidal but Noons just has too much ammo on the feet. Like Mr. Bratcher said, he mixes up his strikes well, and his shots to the body are like those of Nick Diaz. Masvidal could end it on the ground, but I think he will be too enticed to stand and bang with Mr. K.J. Noons by TKO.

JOSH CROSS: The worst thing Masvidal can do in this fight is stand and trade punches with Noons. Noons is just the better boxer and I think Masvidal’s best chance to win this fight is to try to take the fight to the ground and grind out a decision victory. This fight should be exciting, but I think the ways Masvidal can win are just to few and far between. Pick: Noons via TKO.

KELVIN HUNT: Jorge Masvidal via decision.

Daniel Cormier -500 vs. Jeff Monson +350

RICHARD MANN: Worst case scenario for Cormier is that he simply out wrestles Monson. At this point in his career, Monson’s route to victory is top position. He will not be able to get takedowns against an Olympic wrestler. Cormier might be able to show off his improved striking too, but either way he is headed towards a victory. Cormier by decision.

BRIAN FURBY: Daniel Cormier.

JACK BRATCHER: I love this fight. I’ve wanted to see Monson back in the big show for a long time and Cormier needs a test like this. This will be a huge fight for Cormier and when a top level wrestler takes on a top level BJJ guy, we know what happens. Hopefully we’ll see some improvement with Cormier’s hands here. Monson’s too stubby to ever have good hands. His only serious hance is to hope Cormier gets tired and he can catch him in a sub, but that won’t happen. In fact, the opposite could happen. Cormier via decision.

DENNY HODGE: Ever since I interviewed Mr. Cormier, I cannot pick against him. The guy just comes across as a true professional, and he says words that I don’t understand because he’s so much smarter than me. Plus he can fight. Monson used to be so fun to watch, but I think he is going to get outworked by Cormier. Cormier has improved greatly on his feet, and we all know about his wrestling. He will run away with an easy decision. Cormier by decision.

JOSH CROSS: I think that Monson is generally underrated, and he showed that he still has it when he beat Tony Lopez for the ISKA Heavyweight Title back in April. That being said, Cormier is definitely a rising star with a promising future in the sport. I think that Cormier will be faster than Monson in this fight and that will ultimately lead him to the win. Pick: Cormier via Decision.

KELVIN HUNT: Daniel Cormier via decision.

Valentijn Overeem +108 vs. Chad Griggs -138

RICHARD MANN: Griggs’ unlikely streak through the Strikeforce heavyweight division will continue. This Overeem really struggles when people swarm him with punches and that is basically Griggs’ entire strategy. Overeem might be able to give Griggs problems on the floor, but that is unlikely. I am going to use this space to renew my objection to a firefighter having the nickname “The Grave Digger.” Come on. Griggs by TKO.

BRIAN FURBY: Chad Griggs.

JACK BRATCHER: Valentijn is on a three fight win streak. Could he be turning around his career the same exact way his brother did? Will he go on an unbelievable run and become the next big thing? Nope. Will he beat Chad Griggs? He just might… Griggs walked over the back of Bobby Lashley and hasn’t looked back. But he still hasn’t really fought anyone. A win here would be a nice next step for Griggs because Valentijn is so experienced. But something gives me the feeling… Valentijn’s brother is in the main event. They must have been training together for this, you would think. And I think fighting here in the U.S. could be motivating for Valentijn. He just submitted Ray Sefo in February and I think he might just do the same to Griggs. That’s my pick Valentijn Overeem via submission.

DENNY HODGE: This one’s tough for me. I like the sideburns of Griggs way better, but Valentijn takes the “best hair” award over Griggs. So who do I pick? I have to agree with Mr. Mann on this one. Griggs is going to come out with constant pressure and give Overeem all he wants en route to a TKO. I know Richard doesn’t like “The Grave Digger” nickname for a firefighter, but hey it’s better than “Fire Starter” right?

JOSH CROSS: Griggs has to watch out and avoid any submission attempts by Overeem, which I think he will easily do. If Griggs can do that, I think he wins this fight in dominant fashion. Pick: Griggs via TKO.

KELVIN HUNT: Valentijn Overeem via submission.

All odds courtesy of BetonFighting.com.

3 thoughts on “ProMMAnow.com “Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum” staff picks”
  1. Denny, you must have been drinking too much of “Hodge’s Hooch” while writing those first two picks.

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