STRIKEFORCE Champion Alistair Overeem man-handled the crafty and tenacious Fabricio Werdum en route to a vindicating UD win in a rematch some 5 years in the making. Overeem advanced to the Semifinals in the tournament of big men and is set to face the Fedor-slayer Antonio "Big Foot" Silva in the fall.

It was a classic striker vs. grappler match-up with Werdum, the BJJ master, trying desperately to get the fight to the ground—but to no avail. Overeem stuffed most of Werdum's takedowns with sheer power and countered with haymakers throughout the bout. Werdum weathered the storm but was ultimately demoralized by the power of Overeem.

In the second quarterfinal fight, former UFC Heavyweight Champion Josh Barnett began his climb back up the mountain with an impressive win over Brett Rogers. Barnett quickly took Rogers, a dangerous striker, to the ground and smothered him under his 256-pound frame.

In the 2nd, it was more of the same: Barnett in mount, sucking the life and spirit from his foe until he found an opening. Barnett finished Rogers with a side choke (aka arm triangle choke), then vehemently promised to take out the remaining tournament heavyweights one by one until he claims the inaugural STRIKEFORCE World Grand Prix trophy. Barnett won his 30th pro fight, his 18th by submission and looks as dangerous as ever.

Barnett will face unheralded Russian badass Sergei Kharitonov in the Semifinals.

Lightweight contender Jorge Masvidal made a strong bid for a title shot against current champion Gil Melendez with a thrilling 3-rounder decision over veteran banger KJ Noons. Masvidal won a UD 30-27 on all three cards by punishing Noons with strikes. Near the end of the 1st, Noons ate a perfectly timed right-leg kick from Masvidal—the violent collision opening a nasty gash on his face and sent Noons careening to the canvas. Masvidal pounced but Noons survived the round.

The lion-hearted Noons kept coming in the 2nd and 3rd, but Masvidal's counter-punching and slick takedowns proved to be too much.

Two-time U.S. Olympic wrester and one of the most promising up-and-comers in the sport, heavyweight Daniel Cormier took another big step forward with an emphatic and decisive win over tough challenger Jeff Monson. Cormier, 32-years old and undefeated now at 8-0, demonstrated the poise and ability of a veteran striker using impressive hand speed, crisp combinations and a creative mix of leg kicks to win a 3-round shutout, 30-27 on the three cards. At an event featuring the heavyweight tournament, Cormier was anxious for an impressive performance. He delivered.

In the opening bout of the telecast, upstart heavyweight Chad Griggs made quick work of Valentijn Overeem, brother of the STRIKEFORCE Heavyweight Champion. Griggs landed a takedown midway through the first round and pounded a defenseless Overeem until the referee stopped the fight for the TKO. Griggs moves to 11-1 and continues to make a case as contender in the STRIKEFORCE heavyweight division.