UFC 146: Could Overeem 's Failed Drug Test Alter the Strikeforce Grand Prix?

The biggest news in the MMA world this past week was UFC heavyweight No. 1 contender Alistair Overeem failing his pre-fight drug test and likely being pulled from the main event at UFC 146 against UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos.

With rumors of Overeem out, many have speculated who will replace him and receive a title shot at UFC 146.

Many thought the shot would go to Frank Mir, who deserves it the most in my opinion, but Dana White has recently stated on Twitter that the Frank Mir-Cain Velasquez fight will happen. Fans on Twitter and Facebook have been trying to rally for the shot to go to Mark Hunt, as well as some rallying for the shot to go to Fedor Emelianenko. Neither of them seems very likely.

The most likely heavyweight to receive the shot is Fabricio Werdum, who is coming off one of the most impressive performances of his career in his domination of Roy Nelson at UFC 143. Werdum is currently scheduled to fight Mike Russow in Brazil in June, but I’m sure if given the opportunity to fight for the title, Werdum would take it.

The big thing about that happening is current champion dos Santos knocked out Werdum in the first round back in 2008, so fans most likely wouldn’t be very hyped for the matchup.

So, who else is there? Dan Henderson said he’d do it, but that’s highly unlikely to happen.

The only guys left I can think of are the two Strikeforce Grand Prix finalists: Josh Barnett and Daniel Cormier. I think White could possibly talk to both guys about the opportunity to come over to the UFC and one get a title shot and one put into a title contention fight. I think it would be nice to see Barnett face dos Santos for the title and Cormier face Shane Carwin in his return, or vice versa.

Either way, it could very well be a possibility and could mark the end of Strikeforce as we know it.