Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Outrage Over Impending Strikeforce Heavyweight Tournament Grows

Outrage over the recently announced Strikeforce heavyweight tournament continues to grow, with angry fans turning online forums into crucibles of cold discontent and burning, seething hate.  At the center of the maelstrom is the fact that the combatants - which include legendary warrior Fedor Emelianenko, Strikeforce champ Alistair Overeem, and former UFC champs Josh Barnett and Andrei Arlovski - will not be completing all bouts of the eight-man event in one night, will not be fighting to the death, and will not be facing Brock Lesnar at any point.  Also at issue is the fact that the UFC logo will not appear anywhere on the cage or in any of the broadcast's graphics.  Said UFCfanboy4life, "This whole tournament is clearly a gimmick meant to diminish the accomplishments of Dana White, who singlehandedly made mixed martial arts into what it is today."  Added ZuffaShill128, "UFC Fight Night 23 will feature Melvin Guillard in the marquee bout and boasts the likes of Matt Wiman, Joey Beltran and Tim Hague on the main card.  Even a blind man can see that the UFC puts out a better product than Strikeforce."  The opening matches of the tournament are slated for February 12 at the IZOD Center in New Jersey, and will see Fedor take on Antonio Silva and Arlovski face Sergei Kharitonov.  It is unclear at this time if fan sentiment will force Strikeforce to cancel the event.