Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Kharitonov explained

Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Kharitonov
Promotion:Strikeforce
Date:September 10, 2011
Venue:U.S. Bank Arena
City:Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Kharitonov was a mixed martial arts event held by Strikeforce that served as the Heavyweight Tournament semifinals.[1] The event aired live on Showtime.[2] The event took place on September 10, 2011, at U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States.

Background

Ronaldo Souza and Luke Rockhold were rumored to meet at, but the bout was moved to this card.[3]

Alistair Overeem was expected to face Antônio Silva in the semifinals of the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix at this event. However, on July 18 it was announced that Overeem refused to compete at this event, claiming that a toe injury would prevent him from being ready in time. Alistair Overeem was subsequently removed from the tournament and released by the company, he was replaced by Daniel Cormier.[4]

Gegard Mousasi was originally scheduled to face Mike Kyle at this event,[5] but it was later announced that Strikeforce newcomer Marcos Rogério de Lima would replace Mousasi in the bout.[6] The Mousasi/Kyle fight would eventually take place at in January 2013, where Mousasi won by first round submission.

Josh Thomson was scheduled to take on Maximo Blanco at this event. However, on August 23, it was announced Thomson had to withdraw from the bout due to a foot injury.[7] Pat Healy stepped in as Thomson's replacement.[8]

On August 23, 2011, it was announced that the preliminary card for this show would air live on HDNet.[9] This would be the last Strikeforce event to feature televised prelims on HDNet, with remaining 2011 preliminary bouts not being televised, and future preliminary cards were instead shown on Showtime Extreme.

Heavyweight Grand Prix Bracket

** = Replacement

Alternates

Reported Payout

The following is the reported payout to the fighters as reported to the Ohio Athletic Commission. The salaries listed below do not include fight bonuses, sponsorships, percentages and other unofficial payments. It also does not include deductions for expenses such as insurance, taxes, etc.[10]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Strikeforce World Heavyweight Grand Prix. strikeforce.com . 2011-07-25.
  2. Web site: Sources: Strikeforce grand prix semifinals set for Sept. 10. MMAjunkie.com . 2011-07-15.
  3. Web site: Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza Defends Strikeforce Title Against Luke Rockhold on Sept 10. MMAWeekly.com . 2011-06-05.
  4. Web site: Overeem yanked from Strikeforce grand prix, Cormier to fill in against "Bigfoot". MMAjunkie.com. 2011-07-18. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110722140249/http://mmajunkie.com/news/24460/overeem-yanked-from-strikeforce-grand-prix-cormier-to-fill-in-against-bigfoot.mma. 2011-07-22.
  5. Web site: Mike Kyle vs. Gegard Mousasi possible for September Strikeforce event. MMAJunkie.com . 2011-06-22.
  6. Web site: Top Prospect 'Pezao' Set for Sept. 10 Strikeforce Debut Versus Kyle. sherdog.com . 2011-07-19.
  7. Web site: Josh Thomson scratched from "Strikeforce Grand Prix: Barnett vs. Kharitonov". MMAjunkie.com. 2011-08-23. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120112044813/http://mmajunkie.com/news/24929/josh-thomson-scratched-from-strikeforce-grand-prix-barnett-vs-kharitonov.mma. 2012-01-12.
  8. Web site: Healy replaces Thomson, meets Blanco at "Strikeforce Grand Prix: Barnett vs. Kharitonov". MMAjunkie.com. 2011-08-30. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120112044853/http://mmajunkie.com/news/25012/healy-replaces-thomson-meets-blanco-at-strikeforce-grand-prix-barnett-vs-kharitonov.mma. 2012-01-12.
  9. Web site: HDNet to air "Strikeforce Grand Prix: Barnett vs. Kharitonov" prelims and weigh-ins. MMAjunkie.com . 2011-08-23.
  10. Web site: Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Kharitonov" salaries: Barnett tops $942,000 fighter payroll. MMAjunkie.com . 2011-09-12.