UFC Vs. Strikeforce : Who Has The Better Heavyweights?

I wrote an article a long time ago entitled "Talent Wise: Strikeforce vs. UFC". I had the champions of each company fighting one another, and me predicting who would win. I soon found out that I had every UFC champion being crowned victorious.

In my opinion, almost all of the best fighters in the world are in the UFC. If you're one of those few who are one of the best but not in the UFC, you are not being challenged by the best because you are not in the UFC.

If there is a division that contests the UFC's fighters, it is the Heavyweight division. It will be the top five UFC heavyweights going against the top five Strikeforce heavyweights. Let's get it on!

Main Card

5. Antonio Silva vs.Frank Mir

4. Brett Rogers vs. Shane Carwin 

- Assuming Carwin hasn't taken any performance enhancing drugs

3. Fedor Emilianenko vs.Junior Dos Santos

- On my personal rankings, I have Shane Carwin in front of Dos Santos, since he is now the No. 1 contender after Cain he is No. 3.

2. Fabricio Werdum vs. Cain Velasquez

-Due to Werdum defeating Fedor (formerly No. 1) I chose to put him at No. 2 after the champion of the division.

1. Alistair Overeem vs. Brock Lesnar

Antonio Silva (14-2) vs. Frank Mir (13-5)

Credentials:

Frank Mir, 31, has achieved the ultimate goal of winning the UFC Heavyweight Championship. He is the only person to ever defeat Brock Lesnar. Also, the first person to ever knockout Antonio Nogueria.

He is a black belt in jiu jitsu, and known as one of the best fighters off his back.

He is also a black belt in Kempo Karate, and has much improved his stand up game as to one of the best in the division.

He was awarded FIGHT magazine's 2008 submission of the year, and Sherdog's 2008 comeback of the year.

Frank Mir also took 2007 NAGA Absolute Division Champion and 1998 Nevada State Wrestling Champion. 

He has big wins over the likes of Antonio Nogueria, Brock Lesnar, Cheick Kongo, Tim Sylvia, and Pete Williams.

Antonio Silva, 30, has been a tough opponent for several top fighters, and is slowly working his way to the top of the division. Antonio Silva is a huge man, 6'4", and Frank Mir has had recent trouble with big men (Brock Lesnar, Shane Carwin).

Silva became Heavyweight Champion of the corrupt Elite XC, but afterwards tested positive for steroids. 

Antonio Silva has big wins over the likes of Andrei Arlovski, Justin Eilers (tested positive for steroids following), and Ricco Rodriguez.

What Happens: Frank, I believe, is the much faster and versatile striker on his feet. Also, now Frank is huge at this division and hits very hard.

Mir has had problems against bigger opponents, especially those who hit hard. Antonio Silva hits hard and is large, he is the ideal opponent to put Frank out, but he won't.

Frank would dominate the stand up, and I see him finishing it. Score one for the UFC.

Results : Frank Mir TKO 2nd (UFC 1-0)

Brett Rogers (10-2) vs. Shane Carwin (12-1)

Credentials :

Shane Carwin, 35, fought his last fight against the champ, and was a few big shots from putting Lesnar away. He had Brock in the worst situation anyone has ever had him in, but couldn't get him out of there.

Shane Carwin is two time division II wrestling runner-up and one time National Champion.

Shane has also acheived a purple belt in jiu-jisu, but has yet to submit anyone in the UFC. He is also one time UFC Interim Champ.

He has big wins over the likes of Frank Mir, Gabriel Gonzaga, and Christian Wellisch.

Brett Rogers, 29, is a huge man that has extreme power in both hands. He had Fedor down and was beating on him, although Fedor survived and ended up winning by knockout.

Brett has fought for the WAMMA Heavyweight title, and Strikeforce Heavyweight Championship. He came up short in both fights, and was recently dominated by the champion, Allistair Overeem.

Brett Rogers has big wins over the likes of  James Thompson and Andrei Arlovski.

What Happens: Both men are huge and hit extremely hard. Whoever gets tagged first, could very well be the winner of the fight.

Shane has been rocked before by Gabriel Gonzaga, so it isn't impossible to hurt him.

Shane is a strong, heavy hitting wrestler. That type of fighter can beat and beat on a fighter like Brett Rodgers.

Results : Shane Carwin TKO 1st (UFC 2-0)

Fedor Emelianenko (32-2 1NC) vs. Junior Dos Santos (12-1)

Credentials :

Junior Dos Santos, 25, has been on a warpath, knocking out anyone in front of him (Other than Cro Cop & Nelson who he beat on the whole time).

Dos Santos is a brown belt in jiu jitsu. He is named as one of the heaviest hitters in the world today. He was awarded 2008 Upset of the Year against Fabricio Werdum.

Junior Dos Santos has big wins over the likes of Fabricio Werdum, Mirko Cro Cop, Gabriel Gonzaga, and Roy Nelson.

Fedor Emelianenko, 33, is one of the most accomplished fighters in MMA today. He has fought and beat the best, and done so much in and for the sport.

Fedor is seven time Russian Sambo gold medalist, and two time bronze medalist.

Fedor was at one time called by many the pound for pound best in the world.

He is the former Pride Heavyweight Champion and WAMMA Heavyweight Champion.

He won the 1997 Russian Judo Championship.

Fedor was awarded 2009 knockout of the year by Sherdog.

Fedor has big wins over the likes of : Brett Rodgers, Antonio Nogueria, Mirko Cro Cop, Tim Sylvia, Andrei Arlovski, Mark Coleman, Heath Herring, Ricardo Arona, Renato Sobral, and Kevin Randleman.

What Happens: Fedor is still one of the best heavyweights in the world. He is great on his feet and on the ground.

Dos Santos hits hard, but Fedor has never been knocked out. Fedor has a great chin, and if he can take a few shots from Junior he will survive to pull out a win.

Fedor would pull out Strikeforce's first victory of the evening. It is difficult to pick how, because Junior has never been knocked out and I'm not sure if Fedor would shoot.

Results: Fedor Emelianenko UD (UD just because I can't really tell what would exactly happen in the fight, Fedor could knock him out. Or if it went to the ground he could also submit him.) UFC 2-1

Fabricio Werdum (14-4) vs. Cain Velasquez (8-0)

Credentials :

Cain Velasquez, 28, is one of the best wrestlers in the division, and now a decent striker.

He is a purple belt in Guerilla Jiu Jitsu and a Division I wrestler.

He is a two-time all-american wrestler, and 2005 Pac-10 wrestler of the year.

He has big wins over the likes of Antonio Nogueria, Ben Rothwell, and Cheick Kongo.

Fabricio Werdum, 33, is now famous for his quick submission victory over Fedor. Fluke or no fluke, it happened, and he is now one of the top heavyweights in the world.

Werdum is a black belt in judo and brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Werdum has appeared in the UFC for several cards and won several big fights.

He has big wins over the like of Fedor Emelianenko, Alistair Overeem, Gabriel Gonzaga, and Brandon Vera.

What Happens : Both might test the stand up of one another. Not much will go on early, and eventually Cain will shoot for the take-down. Cain will get the take-down, and fight for position.

Cain will eventually open up and begin to throw a lot of punches. Throwing the punches will be his regret, as Werdum will throw an armbar up from that position.

I see Werdum pulling off yet another beautiful armbar and pulling out a huge victory.

Results : Fabricio Werdum submission 1st (If it gets past the 1st, Cain wins a decision, tough fight to pick.) Tied 2-2

Alistair Overeem(33-11 1NC) vs. Brock Lesnar(5-1)

Brock Lesnar, 33, the biggest and best heavyweight in the division today. He has been dominating everyone and has recently overcame adversity.

Brock is the UFC Heavyweight Champion of the world. He has won Sherdog's 2009 Beatdown of the Year.

He was the NCAA division champion (2000) and runner up (1999). He was also ranked #1 in the Big Ten Conference in 2000.

He has big wins over the likes of Heath Herring, Randy Couture, Frank Mir, and Shane Carwin.

Alistair Overeem, 30, is Strikeforce's Brock Lesnar. This guy might even be stronger than Brock. Overeem, in his last fight, literally threw Brett Rogers (A man of Brock's size) around like he was nothing.

He is the Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion of the world.

Alistair has big wins over the likes of Brett Rogers, Vitor Belfort, Paul Buentello, Gary Goodridge, and Mark Hunt.

What Happens : I do believe that the stronger man very well could be Alistair, but the more skilled wrestler is Brock.

Lesnar would have to fight a smart fight and not get taken down or decide to strike with Overeem. Brock will do what he does, and get the takedown and really beat on Overeem for however long he needs too.

Overeem is really strong, Lesnar is really good. Brock would need to watch out for Overeem's guillotine choke and submission.

If he does that he will do just fine en route to what would be a dominating victory.

Results : Lesnar TKO 2nd

UFC 3-2