Alistair Overeem versus Brett Rogers Could put Strikeforce in a Bad Spot
By: Reverend Turk Vangel Posted On: March 2, 2010 at 9:43am
Yesterday we found out that Strikeforce heavyweight champion “Demolition Man” Alistair Overeem will becoming back to the states to fight once again under the Strikeforce banner. His opponent is none other than Fighters.com sixth-ranked heavyweight Brett Rogers (10-1).
My first thought upon hearing this is that the fight makes no sense at all. Then I learned that they did not actually come out and say if this is a title fight or not. My guess is that it will not be for the title but to me the fight still makes very little sense.
I am not a fan of any organization putting a champion inside the cage to fight and that fighter’s title not being on the line. Why have the champ fight at all if you do intend for that title to be at stake? It reminds me of a move boxing used to pull.
Brett Rogers is not a guy that should be getting a title shot anyway so at least that much makes sense. I understand that many of the casual fans are not that familiar with Overeem because he last fought in the United States back in November of 2007 at the Strikeforce Tournament Series. This is a time when the organization was not at the status it is now and thus the exposure for Overeem here is very limited. So in that regard a fight with Rogers makes sense.
Many fans remember the “fits” Brett gave Fighters.com top-ranked heavyweight “The Last Emperor” Fedor Emelianenko (31-1) so they are familiar with him and his skill set. If he steps into the cage with Alistair and gets beaten to a pulp then the crowd will be clamoring for a fight between Overeem and Fedor. However what happens if Overeem gets knocked out in this fight or Rogers wins a decision? Then what do you do with your champion?
This is an issue Strikeforce must be prepared for because in MMA anything is possible.
The fight that makes sense from my perspective is to have Overeem fight Fedor right away but this will not happen as Fedor’s manager, Vadim Finkelstein, said in an interview with sports.ru.
“I personally think that Alistair Overeem did not reach the desired level to challenge Fedor. He beat a lot of no-name opponents in Mixed Martial Arts. Overeem defeated Paul Buentello and then disappeared from the United States for more than two year, which is simply ridiculous. Also, pay attention that Werdum beat Overeem when they were fighting in Pride, four years ago.”
“We do not fight for the Strikeforce Heavyweight Title. Strikeforce are our partner, and any titles whether it is UFC, Strikeforce, WAMMA, Dream… they are just medals. Fedor is above these things. We are interested in the level of our opponent and his popularity among the audience.”
While I understand the sentiment behind this, many will scream once again that Fedor is ducking opponents. I believe he has a point here as Overeem is not in the top ten of any rankings.
This is a fight I want to see even though I despise watching a champ fight and the title not being up for grabs. However, the fanboy inside me yearns to see Overeem versus Fedor as it reminds me of a fight would see in the days of Pride. Hope for the sake of Strikeforce that Overeem wins this one in exciting fashion, that is if he can past the drug test.
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Comments
upon reading your article I was happy to see that we share some of the same views. I think Overeem is underrated in mma and maybe that’s Why fight sport gave him the cover. I do agree that hes Above journeyman and he fights more then alot out there and lets not forget he almost went to the K-1 finals 2009 had he not put his neck out for the knockdown from Remy (also Remy is super athletic and and slick). So here is a guy with a ton of experience who has fought and beat some of the top guys in the MA/MMA and for better or worse he is a champ. I am aware also he may have not fought in 3yrs stateside cuz their heavyweight division was nowhere until recently.
Strike force rarely left California and most of their fairtex/Caesar bjj guys even now would get pummeled in the UFC.
I definitely agree with the contract issues , on the other hand I can see why fighters want to compete in MMA/MA and have that freedom( fedor/musasai
I hope he( overeem) gets tested and comes up negative( which I am sure will be the case) and if he fights fedor win lose or Dra,. and puts on a good show, maybe a rematch? then maybe ufc . The ufc seems to need heavyweights thus bringing back Paul Beuntello.
Oveereems got Solid wrestling excellent submissions, great knees, really strong , and a good chin. I am willing to bet when he loses weight he will pick up speed. As you can see I have been a fan since me and my grubby friends would watch pride pay per-views back in the day. Basically hes no Shatake Manake.
Fedors camp has a right to say what they want however bare in mind, He only fought 3 top guys in the last few years the pit bull, tim silvia, and Bret Rodgers.
Dude. Fedor ONLY fought top guys in the last two years? Name me one other heavyweight that has fought two top 5 opponent in the last two years other than Brock and Mir.
Cain: Only has Nog
Shane: Has None
JDS: Has None
Mir: Lost once to Brock beat Nog and Brock
Brock: Randy and Mir
Who has beat four top 5 HWs? Only Fedor. Brock needs to beat Cain, Shane and Dos Santos to be on the same level as Fedor.
However, I do believe Fedor needs to fight in the UFC or UFC quality opponents.
If the champ fights, it should always be for the title. I don’t like that they can detatch it’s actual meaning, and have BS fights, with relatively low stakes.
why not pass the test.
Everybody in the usa is.
Carwin,brock lashley are full loaded
You are all hypocrties