Rise From Your Grave: Brett “The Grim” Rogers Promises A Comeback

It wasn’t too long ago that many fans and insiders were predicting that Brett Rogers would be the next dominant Heavyweight wrecking machine, both in the surging strikeforce promotion and MMA in general. However, two recent humbling TKO losses have very effectively ended the hype train that was behind “The Grim”. But don’t count him out just yet, because according to a new interview, we’ll see the best Brett Rogers we’ve ever seen when he takes part in the upcoming Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix.

In a new interview with MMA Junkie, Brett Rogers recently said the following: “I definitely want to go out there and bring the old me… I just need to show more and just gain that confidence with my right hand again… I’m definitely going to be prepared… I feel like I’m a little more focused, and I’m not trying to think as much. Before I was so into winning instead of just having fun. And this year, that’s all I plan on doing.”

Rogers is best known for catapulting to superstardom following an amazing twenty-two second KO over former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei Arlovski. Rogers went 10-0 as a professional Mixed Martial Artist, with all wins by stoppage due to strikes and eight of those wins occurring in the first round, before he ran into and was ultimately (T)KO’d by both Fedor Emelianenko and Alistair Overeem, both in championship bouts.

Standing in Brett’s way as undoubtedly his biggest obstacle at this early point in the comeback trail is another former UFC Heavyweight Champion, “The Babyfaced Assassin” Josh Barnett. Barnett is on a six-fight win-streak and hasn’t lost since December 2006. No date or venue has been announced for the fight as of this article’s publication.

In many ways, my feelings on Brett Rogers and his chances in this tournament are similar to the ones I have for Andrei Arlovski, which you can read here. To summarize: it may not be too terribly likely, but anything is possible in MMA.

Brett Rogers still packs a pair of viciously powerful fists, that hasn’t changed and it’s doubtful that it ever will. Against Fedor, Brett got caught with the perfect counter at the perfect time. Against Overeem, Rogers got taken down and manhandled by someone who is very adept at taking down and manhandling very large and powerful opponents. So I do think that both the pressure of the situation and the sheer talent of the men he fought combined to make two opponents that were simply too much for “The Grim”.

That could all change and change dramatically if Rogers stays focused, stays calm, and tries to pick his shots rather than swing for the fences.

I agree that Rogers needs to start swinging more, and I’m glad that he’s going to be bringing back that killer right hand of his. But regaining his spot near the top of Strikeforce’s Heavyweight division will be largely dependent on his ability to not repeat the mistakes of the past. Rogers winning the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix seems unlikely at this early stage, but it’s hardly out of the realm of possibility. It could be anyone’s ballgame by the time all is said and done.

So, what’s the most important thing to remember when it comes to Brett Rogers? I think there’s two things. One is that the man is very entertaining win or lose, so we should all be looking forward to seeing him mix it up with Strikeforce’s best. Two is that if you give Rogers the chance, he will knock your head off of your shoulders. Rogers is down but far from out, and everybody loves a comeback. I’ll definitely be looking forward to seeing what the future holds for Brett Rogers.

And what about you, fans and friends? What’s your opinion on the matter?