Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva Pre-Fight Breakdown: Andrei Arlovski vs. Sergei Kharitonov

Andrei Arlovski (black trunks) has a more well rounded and refined game than his opponent, however, his inability to take a punch may be too great a weakness to overcome.(Photo courtesy of Dave Mandel and Sherdog)

Strikeforce will arrive in New Jersey for the first time tomorrow night in a big way as it brings the MMA hungry fans of the Northeast the opening card of its Heavyweight Grand Prix. in the two main event tournament battles, preceded by the likes of “Big” Lavar Johnson (13-3), Shane del Rosario (8-0), Gian Villante (7-1), “The Grave Digger” Chad Griggs (8-1), “The Python” Valentijn Overeem (26-21), and “Sugarfoot” Ray Sefo (2-0), Russian phenom “The Last Emperor” Fedor Emelianenko (31-2) will trade leather with “Bigfoot” Antonio Silva (14-2) and the former UFC Heavyweight Champion “The Pitbull” Andrei Arlovski (14-8) will step into the cage with PRIDE stand-out Sergei Kharitonov (16-4). The latter of these Heavyweight Grand Prix matches contains two of the tournament’s biggest dark horse entrants as either man has the skill to carry himself through the finals but each also lacks in a key area that leaves many fans counting them out.

At First Glance: The first match of the inaugural Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix has all the makings of a fan pleasing stand-up war. Both Arlovski and Kharitonov have a known preference for turning their bouts into kickboxing matches but also hold a combined ten victories by submission out of 30 fights. The Russian former boxer and Belarusian Sambo master each hold a host of high profile victories including wins over several of their fellow competitors in the tournament brackets. The fact that Arlovski’s most recent three bouts are KO losses to men who are in the Grand Prix leads many to immediately count him out, but he is seasoned and dangerous to any heavyweight he can lay hands on. Furthermore, tomorrow night he faces an opponent who hasn’t fought in almost two years. The ingredients are perfect for a violent, fast paced fight that will leave one man unconscious and the fans on their feet.

Sergei Kharitonov (left) lacks Arlovski's speed standing and skill on the ground, but has the precision and power to make up for it.(Photo courtesy of Daniel Herbertson and Sherdog)

In Depth: Both Andrei Arlovski and Sergei Kharitonov share many commonalities with their striking styles. they both favor a lead leg low roundhouse to set up their hand combinations and both will use their opponent’s preoccupation with that kick to set up brutal rear leg low roundhouse kicks that can completely cripple their recipient. The differences are slight but also telling. while both men have KO power, Sergei fires from a more solid base and delivers the more devastating blows where Arlovski tends to be lighter on his feet and more mobile, relying on his hand speed to generate his KO opportunities. Sergei also tends to be more patient, waiting for his openings to present themselves and attacking his opponents as they reset themselves or change stances. while each man certainly has all the tools to defeat the other, Andrei has one pair of major flaws that make Sergei a clear favorite: a glass jaw and a lack of patience. Arlovski likes to stalk his foe and push forward behind his lead leg kick and his jab. This plays right into Sergei’s game and, with three recent one-blow KO losses as testament, “The Pitbull” doesn’t have the beard to handle any of Kharitonov’s power.

Wild Card: For all the likelihood that this fight will stay on the feet, it cannot be ignored that Andrei Arlovski’s all but forgotten ground game is infinitely superior to that of his opponent. while it is true that Sergei holds more submission wins that Andrei, he has never displayed the technical skill on the mat to handle a Sambo International Master of Sports in a grappling match. Should Sergei find himself in Andrei’s guard, or worse – under him, he could find himself a victim of quick Heel Hook, Kneebar, or Arm Choke.

The Verdict: Arlovski is the quicker, more athletic, and more versatile martial artist in this match. Unfortunately for him, he also has recently been voted “Most Likely to get KO’d by the Cut-Man during Vaseline Application”. Arlovski’s pitifully weak chin will likely be his downfall when his aggressive striking style has him eating leather from the powerful fists of Sergei Kharitonov. Even if he went for a takedown from the opening bell, it is still far more likely that Andrei gets caught and dropped than it is that he bring Sergei down for a quick submission. Kharitonov via KO, round 1.

Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva Pre-Fight Breakdown: Andrei Arlovski vs. Sergei Kharitonov

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