Reminds of the game "hangman" ...

It's official - Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic will take on Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem in what can only be called a "grudge match" at DREAM.6 on Sept. 23. (BTW, I don't believe this is a title fight).

With the addition of this fight, we have the strongest DREAM card to date in the Japanese organziation's short history. Not only do we have this explosive heavyweight clahs, there's the finals of the middleweight grand prix.

The history between Overeem and Cro Cop is short but razor-sharp. The two fought in PRIDE for several years, but I've heard nothing about their relationship then. Although their was cross-over among PRIDE's two main weight classes, Overeem (light heavyweight) and Cro Cop (heavyweight) never fought.

Overeem's recent comments about Filipovic seem to have come out of left field, accusing Cro Cop, who has had one fight in Japan following his UFC exodus, of ducking him. Overeem has gone so far as to call Cro Cop a "douchebag." Maybe he means it; maybe he's just trying to hype the fight. Not sure on that one.

Cro Cop's response was to ask for DREAM to make the fight happen. Now we're going to see if Overeem can back up what he's been saying. He's had success as of late transitioning from LHW to HW, although his opponents have not been top-notch. Cro Cop, on the other hand, has struggled in the UFC, getting knocked out by Gabriel Gonzaga and schooled (along with some groin shots) by Cheick Kongo.

But I think this is just what Cro Cop needs. I think Overeem has awakened a sleeping giant. Overeem has always had trouble with his cardio. In Cro Cop, he is looking at a kickboxer of at least equal caliber. And Cro Cop, when he's on, has an extra large gas tank to boot. My preciction: left high kick to the head and a free trip to the morgue for Overeem, courtesy of Cro Cop.

Also on the card:
Nick Diaz vs. Hayato "Mach" Sakurai

middleweight grand prix finals:
Ronaldo jacare Souza vs. Zelg Galesic
Melvin Manhoef vs. Gegard Mousasi

grand prix reserve match:
Dong Sik Yoon vs. Andrews Nakahara

Hideo Toro vs. Atsushi Yamamoto
Sergei Kharitonov vs. Mighty Mo