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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
Strikeforce's Heavyweight World Grand Prix kicked off earlier this month with their February 12 event in New Jersey, but the second set of quarterfinal bouts may not be getting started as planned.
Strikeforce's April 9 event was expected to feature heavyweight grand prix quarterfinal bouts between Alistair Overeem and Fabricio Werdum, as well as Brett Rogers and Josh Barnett, but now Sherdog.com reports that both of those fights will be delayed.
Per the report, Strikeforce is now planning to run the event in California, and both fights are likely to be pushed off the card.
Instead of those two bouts, Strikeforce is planning a Welterweight Championship bout between Nick Diaz and either Paul Daley or Tyron Woodley, as well as a lightweight bout between Gilbert Melendez and Tatsuya Kawajiri.
For what it's worth, ESPN's Josh Gross reports that Strikeforce has been looking at both St. Louis and Houston for the April 9 event, but also states he's not yet sure what to believe from the organization as even Scott Coker's staff doesn't have an idea what he has planned as of now.
Penick's Analysis: It doesn't matter what the true reason is that is brought out if these Heavyweight World Grand Prix bouts are postponed, because it's all going to be put on Josh Barnett's participation. WIth troubles involving the California State Athletic Commission keeping him from getting licensed in that state, there is going to be a backlash against him if these fights are indeed delayed. Strikeforce has talked about wanting to get this tournament completed before the year is out, but if the other half of the quarterfinals are delayed there's not a chance that happens. They've built up expectations for this tournament, and if they fail to deliver there is going to be a massive wave of negativity heading Strikeforce's way. I hope that's not the case, and hopefully for them this report turns out to not be entirely accurate. If it is, this one's on Strikeforce for messing up their big time concept for 2011 and in backing someone like Barnett with all of the baggage that comes with that. Again, hopefully these reports turn out to be less than accurate, but until Strikeforce announces the April 9 event there will be speculation upon speculation on this front.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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