The MMA World Cup: The Heavyweights Elimination Round

The Octagon: where giants roam. From the moment massive sumo wrestler Teila Tuli stepped into the cage in the first fight in UFC history, fans have been fascinated by the big boys. For years they were probably not worthy of that interest. On cards from coast to coast the heavyweight ranks were swollen with men forced to wear t-shirts when they fought, men who could barely walk and breathe, and in a rare combination of the two - Tim Sylvia.

Today's heavyweights are different. They are just as skilled as their lighter weight counterparts and bigger than ever. When heavyweights main event a card these days, the ring will shake with their every footstep: but you'll also see some high level technique. Your fighters:

1. USA: Cain Velasquez
   
2. Brazil: Junior dos Santos
3. Europe: Alistair Overeem
4. Soviet: Fedor Emelianenko
   
5. Asia/AUS: Peter Graham
6. Canada: Tim Hague

Velasquez and dos Santos get automatic byes, leaving the following matchups:

3. Alistair Overeem versus 6. Tim Hague

My Take: It's the most devastating striker in the entire division against a man best known for being knocked cold in record time. Overeem should advance here, setting up an amazing showdown with dos Santos in the semifinals.

4. Fedor Emelianenko versus 5. Peter Graham

My Take: Graham is a K-1 star, on the list mainly because there are no decent Asian heavyweights and because Fight Matrix gives him tons of credit for upsetting Alexander Emelianenko. Fedor is Fedor. This should be a rout.

Vote for your winners in the poll.

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