Overeem, Werdum Cleared for Strikeforce

A little more than five years ago, Fabricio Werdum submitted Alistair Overeem with a second-round kimura at the Osaka Dome in Osaka, Japan. Now, “The Demolition Man” gets his crack at revenge.

Having grown in size, strength and global prominence in the five years since their first encounter, Overeem (Pictured, File Photo) checked in at 256 pounds for his rematch with Werdum (246) in the Strikeforce heavyweight grand prix quarterfinals on Saturday at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. The eight other competitors on the main card -- including the two remaining grand prix quarterfinalists, Josh Barnett (256) and Brett Rogers (258) -- also met their contracted weight requirements at Friday’s official weigh in.

Unbeaten in his past 10 outings, Overeem has finished six consecutive opponents inside the first round. The 31-year-old Dutchman last appeared at K-1 “Dynamite” on New Year’s Eve, when he carved through UFC veteran Todd Duffee in 19 seconds at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. A potent and proven finisher, Overeem has delivered 33 of his 34 career victories by knockout, technical knockout or submission. Wins over Russian heavyweight Sergei Kharitonov, former UFC light heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort and 2000 Pride Fighting Championships open weight grand prix finalist Igor Vovchanchyn anchor the Golden Glory representative’s resume. Overeem won the K-1 World Grand Prix in 2010.

Werdum will carry a three-fight winning streak into the bout. The 33-year-old last fought in June 2010, when he stunned the mixed martial arts world with his first-round submission victory against Fedor Emelianenko at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Based at the Rafael Cordeiro-led Kings MMA camp in California, the two-time Abu Dhabi Combat Club Submission Wrestling World Championships gold medalist holds black belts in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, judo and muay Thai. Werdum owns notable victories over American Kickboxing Academy representative Mike Kyle, former UFC heavyweight title contender Gabriel Gonzaga (twice), 2003 ADCC gold medalist John Olav Einemo and the world-ranked Antonio Silva. Skilled and durable, he has been finished only once -- by current UFC heavyweight title contender Junior dos Santos -- in 19 professional appearances.

Strikeforce “Overeem vs. Werdum” -- which airs on Showtime at 10 p.m. ET/PT -- also features a lightweight duel pitting former EliteXC champion K.J. Noons (156) against American Top Team’s Jorge Masvidal (155), a heavyweight tilt pairing two-time Olympian Daniel Cormier (239.5) with Jeff Monson (234) and a heavyweight bout matching Valentijn Overeem (234.5) against Chad Griggs (234). At 8 p.m. ET, HDNet will carry the show’s five preliminary fights: Gesias Cavalcante (155) vs. Justin Wilcox (156), Conor Heun (155) vs. Magno Almeida (155), Nah-Shon Burrell (179) vs. Joe Ray (180), Todd Moore (169.5) vs. Mike Bronzoulis (170) and Brian Melancon (175) vs. Isaac Vallie-Flagg (170).

Strikeforce “Overeem vs. Werdum”
Saturday, July 18
American Airlines Center
Dallas

Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Quarterfinals
Alistair Overeem (256) vs. Fabricio Werdum (246)
Josh Barnett (256) vs. Brett Rogers (258)

K.J. Noons (156) vs. Jorge Masvidal (155)
Daniel Cormier (239.5) vs. Jeff Monson (234)
Valentijn Overeem (234.5) vs. Chad Griggs (234)
Gesias Cavalcante (155) vs. Justin Wilcox (156)
Conor Heun (155) vs. Magno Almeida (155)
Nah-Shon Burrell (179) vs. Joe Ray (180)
Todd Moore (169.5) vs. Mike Bronzoulis (170)
Brian Melancon (175) vs. Isaac Vallie-Flagg (170)