Overeem to defend Strikeforce title in May

Scott Coker Talks Alistair Overeem, Herschel Walker and More

- Alistair Overeem will defend the Strikeforce Heavyweight Title in May. Opponent is yet to be determined.

- Erin Toughill will be the next opponent for Cris Cyborg, targeting a late summer title fight.

- The 145 pound women's tournament will have a Summertime launch.

- Nick Diaz will go up and down in weight, fight out of his weight class but also defend the welterweight title.

- Herschel Walker will want to fight again and Strikeforce will support him. The $600 purse took care of licensing fees, as he as not fighting for a purse and donated his purse to charity.

- Despite WEC and UFC pay per views, Strikeforce is still targeting April CBS show.

- Jake Shields offered fight contract but not yet signed.

- Mousasi vs King Mo: will happen but not yet confirmed.

Anfields5thKing wrote:Barnett is the only one i can think of.

Other than Aleks.

Strikeforce confirmed last night that the May 15th heavyweight battle between Strikeforce champion Alistair Overeem and mohawked contender Brett Rogers — originally thought to be a non-title fight — will now be for the belt. The decision was made "after much internal debate," and will bring Overeem back under the Strikeforce banner for the first time since he beat up Paul Buentello in November 2007. Since then, Overeem has gone 7-0 with 1 no contest against such notable cans as Tony Sylvester and James Thompson.

So let's get this out of the way: Of course it's ridiculous that Brett Rogers has effectively earned a title shot by getting smoked by Fedor Emelianenko. But he and Alistair were available in May, and Fedor wasn't. And what would happen if Rogers beat Overeem in a non-title fight? Would they need to have an immediate rematch for the belt, while Fedor takes another meaningless exhibition? Would it be another 30 months before Alistair decided to grace Strikeforce with his presence? In the end, it just makes more sense if the champion defends his title against somebody. Anybody.