re: Strikeforce Heavyweight Tournament

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Set up that way for a couple of reasons. First, it increases the likelihood that we see the fight everyone wants (Overeem v. Fedor). Second, it's essentially the matches they would make even if there wasn't a tourney format. Overeem is the champ and would have fought Werdum next absent the tourney. The Big Foot - Fedor fight was anticipated before the grand prix was even announced. Winner of those two fights meet up. Then, you put that guy against a challenger who has now won two big fights and would qualify as a contender. They're basically just making their matchmaking public. The tourney format makes it more exciting than it would have been otherwise.

I just wish that the belt would be on the line each time and that all fights were five rounds. Still, I'm not going to argue.

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Yep. It is a good set-up IMO. It puts together the 1st round fights that were likely to happen if there was no tourney - Fedor/Silva and Overeem/Werdum and it makes a second round match of Fedor/Overeem more likely (though either could lose in the first round). Also, if Fedor was to get to the final's there is the possibility of Fedor/Barnett which was supposed to happen 2.5 years ago. I think Barnett will win his side and make it to the finals personally.

Then if someone besides Overeem wins, you gaurantee a big fight after the tourney for the belt.