In part 3 of Alistair Overeems online documentary, he defends his Strikeforce Heavyweight title against Brett Rodgers. We are offered new angles to appreciate Overeems destruction of The Grimm. Now the even longer wait for Overeems next opponent: the winner of Fedor vs Werdum, begins.

The most interesting section of this episode in my opinion was seeing Big John McCarthy give Overeem and his camp his interpretation of intelligent defense. After years of hearing “We went over the rules in the locker room” here you actually get to see what is actually said and described. It reinforced my already rock solid belief that Big John is one of the finest referees this sport has ever had if not the best.

While I did start to take a shine to the guy in the first installment, the Wu Tang intro of the second vid has won me over. At the end of the day, isn’t that the intended result of these slick edited fighter propaganda pieces. If it works for boxing with their 24/7 series and UFC’s Primetime shows for their super star main events, why wouldn’t you try to emulate their proven method of success.

This episode focuses on Alistairs last workout/sparring session before his weigh ins for his first title defense at Strikeforce: Heavy Artillery.

Been digging the episodic documentary for Strikeforce Heavyweight Champ Alistair Overeem. Giggle at the name all you want, it kind of fits. It is a very smart move from Overeem an his PR team to release this so that all his new fans have something to familiarize themselves with. I am also a fan of the monochrome color palate and soundtrack choices, The Incredible Bongo Band is in fact certified dope by the F.D.A. This first ep shows Alistair winning the title and gives the reason as to why he hasn’t defended it in so long: lack of heavyweight opponents, more lucrative opportunities in K-1, injuries etc.

Check out the official site for other news and details

Ariel Helwani of MMAFighting.com gets a post event interview with Strikeforce Heavyweight champ Alistair Overeem.

The interview covers the ups and downs of the past couple years for The Reem, who reiterates his desire to face Fedor, despite all of the M1 shenanigans. Good luck with that seeing as how the organizations CEO is having trouble getting the appropriate parties to the negotiation table.

Naysaying aside that would be a good fight if they could somehow pull it off.

From MMAJunkie.com,

OFFICIAL RESULTS

* Alistair Overeem def. Brett Rogers via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:40.
* Antonio Silva def. Andrei Arlovski via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
* Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza def. Joey Villasenor via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
* Roger Gracie def. Kevin Randleman via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 4:10
* Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante def. Antwain Britt via KO (strikes) – Round 1, 3:45

While going 3 out of 5 wasn’t too bad, I am going to chastise myself for completely forgetting Alistair Overeems ground game and Brett Rodgers lack of one. Even though he is primarily known for his striking and kickboxing, The Reem does have a ground game and has picked up a number of wins via submission. So his dominating performance should not have been too surprising, but in a weird way it was.

The other fight that I called wrong but was completely surprised by was Arlovski getting out clinched and edged out by Bigfoot Silva? With this being his third loss in a row, and the second one to an opponent that was perceived to be no match for the former UFC champion. Where the Pitbull goes from here is anybodies guess, but he has to either completely destroy his next opponent or stick to his acting career. Nothing short of a complete re-dedication to the sport can save this man, but how much fight can be left in a guy who has fallen so far from grace and has a viable career as a believable tough guy in the movies.

Other than that the event went off without a hitch and the other bouts went my way. Gracie got his sub, Feijao got his KO and Jacare didn’t sub but still won against Joey Villasenor (yay for people validating my assumptions). Hopefully if Fedor can get past Werdum we can look forward to 10 months worth of M1 trying to negotiate a title shot with a more than willing champion in Overeem whilst Cocker desperately tries to keep the company afloat.

Strikeforce goes to St. Louis MO to host its Heavy Artillery event. I will be focusing primarily on the main card, this event will also feature the first title defense from the organizations longtime heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem who won the title back in 2007. Now onto the picks.

Main Event: Heavyweight Championship

Champ Alistair Overeem vs. Challenger Brett Rogers

This will be Overeem’s first time fighting on U.S. soil since he won the title oh so long ago. Alistair has been keeping busy since then with a steady diet of tomato cans and trying his hand at K-1 racking up a 6-4 record against some of the worlds best. Brett Rodgers is coming off the only loss in his career in a spirited performance against the consensus best heavyweight in the world Fedor Emelianenko. While The Demolition Man may be the more technical striker he is not invincible.

Rodgers will get battered but as long as he stays away from Overeems nightmarish plum and clinch knees he will be okay. After surviving the initial onslaught from Alistair, The Grimm will turn the tables, expect the fight to end in brutal fashion.

- Rodgers will have the power and the belt via TKO

- Brett

Andrei Arlovski vs. Antonio Silva

Despite his suspect chin, Arlovski is too good a fighter to get beaten by a talented but still gatekeeper level fighter like Bigfoot.

- Arlovski via tko

Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza vs. Joey Villasenor

Villasenor is a well rounded fighter but Ronaldo is a world class bjj player and one of the best on the ground in mma. Though his stand up is passable it should be enough to keep Joe at bay long enough to sub him.

- Jacare via sub

Roger Gracie vs. Kevin Randleman

This other than the main event is one of the most compelling bouts of the card, but not in a good way. On one hand you have Randleman who is dangerously past his expiration date as a fighter and another one dimensional but young Gracie. Expect Kevin’s notorious cardio and shop worn body to fail him yet again.

- Gracie via sub

Antwain Britt vs. Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante

Two up and coming light heavyweight will trade leather for notoriety. With guys like this who like to trade its a bit of a coin toss, so I go with…

- Feijao via TKO

Props to Ester Lin from All Elbows for the photos.