Brett Rogers Vs. Alistair Overeem on May 15 for Strikeforce

The Grim is Back

​St. Paul native Brett "The Grim" Rogers will face Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem in a non-title fight.

In an exclusive interview with MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) today, the Strikeforce heavyweight champion said he is likely to meet Brett Rogers (10-1 MMA, 2-1 SF) in a non-title fight on an as-yet-unannounced card set for May 15 in St. Louis, Mo.

Fedor, all busted up

​Rogers was memorably featured on the cover of City Pages in advance of his fight against Fedor Emelianenko, the Russian machine who is considered the best heavyweight fighter of all time, period. While "The Grim" went into the fight a big-time underdog, he put on a strong performance and busted Fedor up, landing him at No. 8 among the Top 10 heavyweights even in losing.

Against this local hero comes Overeem, a well-accomplished Dutch kickboxer dogged by steroid accusations, who holds the Strikeforce belt--the promotion where uncrowned king Fedor fights. The fact that this is a non-title affair will surely upset the MMA purists--not to mention the fact that Overeem isn't defending the belt against Fedor, who should wear it by all rights, but rather against Rogers, who lost to Fedor.

But if Rogers beats Overeem, it sets up a rematch against Fedor, as well as brings to a roar the chatter than Overeem should forfeit the Strikeforce Heavyweight Title if he is unable or unwilling to defend it.