Strikeforce Fedor vs. Silva: Grand Prix Breakdown and Predictions

The time is almost here for the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix tournament. The highly anticipated tournament kicks off with one of the greatest fighters in MMA history: Fedor Emelianenko.

Strikeforce has scheduled the legend of Fedor against Brazilian heavyweight, Antonio Silva. In addition to this bout, there is another fight in the tournament, which will feature Andrei Arlovski versus Sergei Kharitonov.

So with that being said, here are predictions and breakdown of the Main and Co-Main event of the night.

Co-Main Event- Andrei Arlovski (15-8-0) vs. Sergei Kharitonov (17-4-0)

Breakdown- Out of the two fights I'm going to predict, this is obviously the closest one to call.

Both fighters are definitely going to look to out-box each other. Kharitonov has knockout power though and will look to push the pace against the former UFC heavyweight champion, Andrei Arlovski.

Arlovski hasn't won a fight since EliteXC was around when he beat Roy Nelson via knockout on October 4, 2008. Since then Arlovski has suffered three straight losses. Oddly enough, two of those fighters he has lost to are fighting on the card with him, Emelianenko and Silva.

Kharitonov has only fought three times in the last three years, posting a 2-1 record. HIs most recent bout was a New Year's Eve victory against Tatsuya Mizuno where he won by knockout.

This fight is tough to call, and could certainly go either way.

Prediction- Arlovski via decision

Main Event- Fedor Emelianenko (32-2-0, 1 NC) vs. Antonio Silva (15-2-0)

Breakdown- Here it is, Fedor's long awaited return to the cage after a loss to Fabricio Werdum on June 26 of last year. Fedor tapped out against Werdum and suffered a huge loss not only on his record, but in the public eye.

You really can't bet against Fedor though. He's definitely one of, if not the best of all-time in MMA. Antonio Silva is likely facing his toughest opponent to date. However Silva should be very prepared for his fight against Fedor, looking to send Fedor to back to back losses.

Fedor will dazzle fans and Silva throughout the fight and it probably won't go the distance. He will bring the fight to the ground and stand-up Silva leading way to victory. Fedor is just too much to handle for Silva, but then again anything is possible in MMA and Emelianenko must be on guard.

Fedor will make his loss to Werdum a very distant memory and give his fans something to be excited about again.

Prediction- Emelianenko via second round TKO

And just for fun here's my picks for the Grand Prix reserve bouts.

Valentijn Overeem (28-25-0) vs. Ray Sefo (2-0-0)- Overeem via second round submission

Chad Griggs (9-1-0) vs. Gian Villante (7-1-0)- Villante via decision

Shane Del Rosario (10-0-0) vs. Lavar Johnson (15-3-0)- Del Rosario via third round TKO

Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva Results, News And More