Strikeforce Overeem vs. Werdum: Ranking the Top 10 Strikeforce Heavyweights

The UFC may bolster the thickest stable in every weight class, but Strikeforce more than holds its own in the heavyweight division.

The infusion of guys like Alistair Overeem, Fedor Emelianenko, Josh Barnett, Fabricio Werdum, and Antonio Silva has turned a dying division into Strikeforce's premier weight class.

On June 18, the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix continues with two monumental quarterfinal match-ups.

The June outbreak of MMA keeps on rolling, and it's Strikeforce's turn to host the festivities. In preparation for the upcoming event, Bleacher Report counts down the top-10 fighters on the Strikeforce heavyweight roster.

10) Valentijn Overeem

This spot could've easily gone to Chad Griggs, but Valentijn Overeem's unending experience gives him a slight edge.

Luckily for fans, Overeem and Griggs are set to do battle on June 18.

Can Valentijn finally step from beyond the long cast shadows of his younger brother Alistair?

9) Shane del Rosario

Shane del Rosario is a name most fans aren't familiar with.

He is a two-time WBC Muay Thai World Heavyweight Champion, and his ground game is continuously improving at Team DeathClutch under world class grapplers like Brock Lesnar, Cole Konrad, Erik Paulson and Marty Morgan.

Riding an undefeated MMA record of 11-0, del Rosario is the top alternate for the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix.

8) Andrei Arlovski

It can be tough to watch Andrei Arlovski compete at times.

Technically, he is still an upper-echelon heavyweight with world class abilities, but his chin just can't seem to agree.

It's been nearly three years since Arlovski won a professional MMA bout.

He has suffered four straight losses, and three of those fights ended in vicious knockouts.

Despite pleas from fans, Arlovski refuses to retire and end his career on this note.

7) Brett Rogers

After bursting on the scene with a vicious TKO stoppage over Andrei Arlovski, Brett Rogers suffered back to back losses to Fedor Emelianenko and Alistair Overeem.

The loss to Overeem was especially tough as Rogers was tossed around like a stuffed animal. Since the losses, Rogers rebounded with a victory over Ruben Villareal at W-1 New Ground.

A win over Josh Barnett on June 18 would go a long way in helping "The Grim" reestablish himself as a contender in the heavyweight division.

6) Sergei Kharitonov

Perhaps the dark horse in the Strikeforce Grand Prix, Sergei Kharitonov impressed in his quarterfinal bout by brutally dispatching of former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski.

A victory over the winner of Josh Barnett and Brett Rogers would help Kharitonov prove his placement as an upper-echelon heavyweight.

5) Fedor Emelianenko

It's amazing how much can change in merely a year's time.

Around this time last year, Fedor Emelianenko was considered the top heavyweight and arguably the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. He is now coming off back to back losses and on the fence about his future.

After mulling over the possibility of retirement, Emelianenko has decided to keep fighting. His Strikeforce return is set for July 30 against Dan Henderson.

4) Antonio Silva

Some blame an obvious size advantage, but Antonio Silva's victory over Fedor Emelianenko was based more on a new breed of heavyweight than anything else.

Silva is an elite striker with a black belt in BJJ.

The win over Emelianenko was his coming out party, and he'll move on to face the winner of Alistair Overeem and Fabricio Werdum in the Strikeforce Grand Prix semifinals.

3) Josh Barnett

Josh Barnett has always been the center of controversy, but his past mistakes shouldn't undermine his in-ring abilities.

Even though he isn't recognized as a top-10 heavyweight in most publications, Barnett is undoubtedly a world class talent.

UFC President Dana White even went on record to pick Barnett to win the entire Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix. He'll face Brett Rogers on June 18.

2) Fabricio Werdum

It's been about a year since Fabricio Werdum shocked the world by submitting unbeaten legend Fedor Emelianenko.

Werdum tends to get lost among the Cain Velasquez, Brock Lesnar, Junior Dos Santos, and Shane Carwin discussion.

Alistair Overeem even gets more attention, and he was defeated by Werdum in May 2006.

Werdum will get his chance to prove himself as a top-five heavyweight in a highly anticipated rematch with Overeem on June 18.

1) Alistair Overeem

There is no MMA heavyweight more imposing than Alistair Overeem.

Despite holding three major world titles, Overeem isn't even ranked in the top five of most heavyweight rankings.

He'll finally get his chance to climb the ranks when he meets Fabricio Werdum on June 18.