Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix – Antonio Silva Vs. Fedor Emelianenko (Huge Upset)

They’re doing Pride style introductions for all the combatants in the Heavyweight Grand Prix.

Let’s get into it.

1. Ray Sefo vs. Valentijn Overeem

Overeem tried to start on the feet, but Sefo was getting the better of him so Overeem went for the takedown and immediately grabbed his neck, cranked it and Sefo tapped.

Winner: Valentin Overeem by way of 1st round submission

2. Gian Villante vs. Chad Griggs

These guys just let their hands go and didn’t really care if they were going to get tired. Griggs was getting the better of it for most of it. Villante tried to turn it into a wrestling match, but he couldn’t close quickly enough without getting hit and he was wobbly early. He threw a wide high kick that cut Griggs’ ear up. Griggs threw two right hands that dropped Villante and Villante didn’t get back up after the second one. Fun, though entirely sloppy fight.

Winner: Chad Griggs by way of 1st round TKO

3. Lavar Johnson vs. Shane Del Rosario

Johnson looked good early on as the aggressor. He was striking first, beating Del Rosario to the punch and he got a takedown as well. But Del Rosario turned the tide, got him on the defense and got the takedown, side control, and mount all very quickly. He was setting up the armbar and after pounding Johnson in the face with ground and pound, he armbarred him for the win.

Winner: Shane Del Rosario by way of 1st round submission

So far, every fight has been finished in the first.

4. Sergei Kharitonov vs. Andrei Arlovski

Arlovski needs to quit for his own health. He looked good early on, kickboxing well. But he started to get hit. Kharitonov wasn’t moving his head, just waiting to land counter shots. He knocked Arlovski down with a left hook and straightened him out on the ground with some ground and pound. Arlovski was out for a couple minutes.

Winner: Sergei Kharitonov by way of 1st round TKO

There’s been a Gina Carano sighting!

5. Antonio Silva vs. Fedor Emelianenko

Fedor came out swinging huge right hands. Silva was more tentative, trying to set up counter shots, and then use his strength and weight advantage to tie up Fedor when the opportunity came. Fedor landed a couple of nice shots, but was rocked with a straight right that backed him up. Fedor had a guillotine in, but Silva powered out of it and into guard. The rounded ended with both guys throwing big shots and was on top at the end of the round. Tough round to score.

Holy cow. I never thought I’d see Fedor manhandled like this. Silva got a takedown and worked into a mount fairly quickly. He was throwing nasty hammer fists and Fedor would give up his back and get choked. Silva had him in a nasty rear naked choke, and then an arm triangle, and then a knee bar. It’s a 10-8 round. Fedor grabbed an ankle at the end. He took an amazing beating.

The fight was stopped because Fedor’s right eye was completely closed.

Winner: Antonio Silva by 2nd round TKO