Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker has revealed more details about the Strikeforce World Grand Prix. Contray to the promotion’s inital plans the heavyweight title held and rarely defended by Alistair Overeem will not be on the line in the tournament. Coker had hoped to have the champion defend at every stage with all tournament fights going five rounds to ensure that those in championship fights aren’t disadvantaged. But unfortunately commission rules in many states do not allow non-title fights to go the championship distance, so scuppering those plans. Instead all quarter-final and semi-final fights will be three rounds, with the final being for the Strikeforce Heavyweight World Grand Prix Championship. If Overeem does not win the tournament then the Grand Prix champion will get an immediate world tile shot.
Coker also explained that should one of the fights end up as a draw then a fourth judge will break the tie by judging the fight as a whole. Should anybody drop out then a five man committee headed by Corey Schafer will pick the replacement who could be an alternate or somebody who’s lost in a previous round.
