The Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix continued this past weekend, and it once again highlighted the largest men in the MMA cage. In combat sports a mystique always surrounds the heavyweight division due to the sheer size of these men. From Muhammad Ali to Mike Tyson to Fedor Emelianenko to Randy Couture, fans are always enthralled by the exploits and accolades of a fighting sport’s biggest men. And when this tournament concludes, we may even answer the question of who MMA’s best heavyweight is.
Zuffa’s purchase of Strikeforce may have been a move that “saves” the heavyweight division in the UFC. While that organization had the majority of the talent across the sport’s other weight classes, Strikeforce was fully capable of going head to head with the UFC when it came to the heavyweights. Now, with the acquisition of the organization and the progression of this tournament, fans may be one more step closer to seeing the best in this weight division crowned inside of the Octagon.
In general, the individual who is holding the world championship is considered the best among fans and experts alike. While Alistair Overeem may be the Strikeforce champion, his title is still considered less prestigious than the one currently held by Cain Velasquez. So if Alistair were to win this tournament, shouldn’t he be considered the next challenger for the UFC heavyweight champion? In fact, there’s a strong argument that whoever wins the Grand Prix should be moved over to the UFC in the same manner that Strikeforce Welterweight Champion Nick Diaz “crossed over” in order to sign a contract to face Georges St. Pierre, his counterpart in the UFC, later on this year.
Looking at the current roster of heavyweights in the UFC, the pickings of possible title contenders are very slim. Junior dos Santos is the current number one contender after dismantling Shane Carwin. After him, Brendan Schaub would be next in line, assuming that he can get past Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in August at UFC 134. With Frank Mir waiting after that, this pretty much is the end of their depth chart. Bringing over the heavyweights from Strikeforce would inject a few interesting storylines into this division. A Frank Mir versus Josh Barnett matchup, or a battle between Sergei Kharitonov and Roy Nelson, would be a welcome departure from the matchups that UFC offers. And those are just a few of the potential fights that would be available.
The statement “business as usual” became a catchphrase once the purchase of Strikeforce was announced. Still fans have clamored for Zuffa to make the matches that everyone wants to see. The heavyweight division actually needs things to be anything but “business as usual,” as the list of potential challengers grows more and more slim. Here’s hoping that the conclusion of the Strikeforce Grand Prix begins a new chapter of heavyweight matchups.
