Strikeforce: Fedor Emelianenko Vs. Antonio Silva Weigh-In Results and Reaction

Strikeforce kicks off its World Grand Prix Heavyweight Tournament on Saturday with two highly anticipated quarterfinal bouts.

All 20 fighters involved on Saturday's Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva card took to the scales on Friday to weigh-in for the event.

In the headliner, former Pride Heavyweight Champion Fedor Emelianenko (230) is set to take on fellow top ten Heavyweight Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva (264).

Emelianenko, who has long been considered the best Mixed Martial Artist on the planet, was defeated for the first time in his illustrious career by Fabricio Werdum in June 2010.

Despite Werdum's widely acclaimed Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu credentials, Emelianenko followed the fight to the floor recklessly in pursuit of an early finish, which gave Werdum an opening to lock up a triangle choke and finish off his back at 1:09 of the first round.

Emelianenko's only other loss stems from a doctor stoppage due to a cut suffered in December 2000 against Tsuyoshi Kohsaka.

After the loss to Werdum, Emelianenko left fans with words of inspiration.

"The one who doesn't fall never stands up. It happened that people made me an idol, but everybody loses. I'm just a human being, and if it's God's will next fight, I'll win."

Silva was also defeated by Fabricio Werdum in November 2009. He is currently coming off back to back wins over Andrei Arlovski and Mike Kyle. Seeing as most publications have him ranked as a top ten Heavyweight, it would be unwise to overlook Silva as a legitimate threat to Emelianenko's progression in the tournament.

In the other quarterfinal bout, former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei "The Pitbull" Arlovski (242) will face Russian Kickboxer Sergei Kharitonov (250). The rest of the main card is full of Heavyweight reserve bouts in case an injury befalls one of the Grand Prix contestants.

Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva will take place on Saturday at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The main card is scheduled to air live on Showtime at 10 p.m. ET. HDNet will broadcast the preliminary bouts at 8 p.m. ET.

(SportsHaze.com Original)
 

Main Card

Fedor Emelianenko (230) vs. Antonio Silva (264)

Andrei Arlovski (242) vs. Sergei Kharitonov (250)

Shane Del Rosario (248) vs. Lavar Johnson (243)

Chad Griggs (229) vs. Gianpiero Villante (227)

Valentijn Overeem (239) vs. Ray Sefo (249)

Prelims (HDNet)

John Cholish (155.75) vs. Marc Stevens (**156.5)

Igor Gracie (170.75) vs. John Salgado (170)

Sam Oropeza (169.75) vs. Don Carlo-Clauss (170.5)

Anthony Leone (*146.2) vs. Josh LaBerge (145.75)

Kevin Roddy (145.75) vs. Jason McLean (145.5)

* Did not make weight on the first attempt

** John Cholish agrees to a catchweight bout with Marc Stevens