LOS ANGELES – Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker has confirmed the promotion’s acquisition of two former PRIDE heavyweights: Sergei Kharitonov and Valentijn Overeem.
Overeem, 33, is the older brother of current Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem, and Kharitonov is a former sparring partner of top-ranked heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko.
The signings have been rumored for the past month, though Coker and
Strikeforce officials initially declined to confirm them when contacted
by MMAjunkie.com.