Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix bout: Josh Barnett vs. Brett Rogers
Odds: ( -500 Barnett / +300 Rogers )
Betting Pick: Barnett
Bet on this fight at Bodog.com
In the first of two featured Heavyweight Grand Prix bouts, former UFC Heavyweight champion Josh Barnett will square off against heavy-handed slugger Brett “The Grim” Rogers. Barnett seems to be constantly surrounded by controversy due to his numerous positive steroid tests, but is one of the most complete and dangerous Heavyweights in the world with top-notch striking, good wrestling, and extremely dangerous submissions from top position. Rogers is a much more one-dimensional fighter, but his mix of size, brute strength, and insane knockout power make him a scary matchup for anyone, so this should be a great fight.
Brett “The Grim” Rogers is one of the scariest strikers in the Heavyweight division. A huge guy with a ton of punching power, Rogers is willing to stand in the center of the ring and trade shots with anyone in the world until one of them goes down. He uses his size and strength to his advantage very well, and actually showed hints of a decent ground game against Fedor. Still, his strategy will always be to take the center of the ring and let his hands go until he connects with a knockout punch. He lacks Barnett’s technique both standing and on the ground, but if he lands a flush power punch, very few men are going to remain standing for long.
Josh Barnett has long been one of the most skilled and versatile Heavyweights in the world, but his career has been hampered by injuries and constant steroid-related suspensions. All the controversy aside, though, Barnett is an extremely formidable striker with good wrestling and excellent submissions, which makes him one of the toughest matchups in the world for anyone. There is no area of fighting where Barnett is going to get overwhelmed by anyone, and he is a constant threat to finish fights wherever they play out.
This is going to be a tough matchup for Rogers to win. On the feet he is a monster, but Barnett is more experienced, quicker, and has better technique. Most importantly, Barnett has the ability to force a ground fight and the submission prowess to end the fight once it gets there. It’s entirely possible Barnett could win this fight on the feet since Rogers’ chin has been exploited before, but I think it is much more likely he will play it safe, trip Rogers to the ground and choke him out. Barnett by submission.
Prediction: Josh Barnett via second round rear naked choke.
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