Alistair Overeem: Strikeforce, K-1, and Dream Champion
by Kaleb Kelchner on Jan 1, 2011 9:39 AM EST
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The UFC's heavyweight division isn't looking so hot with an injured champion, a hungry challenger that wants a fight but has very few options, and a huge name that is in dire need of experience and training but stuck fighting some of the best fighters on the planet. Meanwhile, there's this guy, Alistair Overeem. Strikeforce heavyweight champion, K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 champion, and now, the Dream interim heavyweight champion. Seriously, the man has kicked ass and taken names in 2010, and I hope he continues to do so into 2011. With Strikeforce trying to set up a grand prix, Overeem will hopefully defend his title there multiple times in 2011. He's currently building his name in Japan to quite a bit of success, but if he strikes in North America now he will likely be able to win over the fans who haven't been pleased with his lack of recent title defenses on this side of the world.
Dana White has been a fan of Overeem for a while now, and I can't help but wonder how far the UFC president would go to see him under their banner. There's some obvious issues that would come up...Dream, K-1...but what if the heavyweight division gets worse as 2011 goes on? UFC or not, Alistair Overeem is, in my opinion, THE heavyweight fighter to watch in 2011.
Happy New Year everyone, hope you all had a safe, and exciting time celebrating the new year. Round two is up tonight, with UFC 125 at 10 p.m. ET.
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Look at the last 10 guys in MMA he has beat.
Not exactly the cream of the crop.
@fjbar on twitter...formerly El Mexicutioner
You’re right, but if he doesn’t give Strikeforce the run around (that’s sadly a big if) then we should see him fight Werdum or Fedor this year. I’d like to see him tested in MMA, we know the man can kickbox, and we know he’s powerful…but how will that hold up against a top 5 heavyweight? Fingers crossed, I hope we find out this year.
Twitter me @kkelchner621
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by Kaleb Kelchner on Jan 1, 2011 10:16 AM EST up reply actions
I'm writing a commentary on the state of the Heavyweight division actually, but I'll release it Monday once 125 has been covered
Plus I didn’t want to put a downer on the first day of 2011.
Will post our UFC 125 picks in a bit, looks like it’s just you and me again making them.
It’s all good, we’ll get em next time. lol
Twitter me @kkelchner621
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by Kaleb Kelchner on Jan 1, 2011 10:17 AM EST up reply actions
It's pretty telling when the K1 Grand Prix title is the most prestigious belt he holds
Defended Strikeforce title once, against Brett Rogers. Won it in a fight with Paul Buentello a couple of years prior.
Given the Dream ‘interim’ title after he complained long enough about wanting one, so they gave it to him to shut him up.
So yeah, the belts are more bling then anything else with the K1 being the only one he faced top competition to get.
Dream won’t give him any challengers that will be worth the “title” implicates, so that is definitely just a piece of eye candy unless they prove otherwise. No gripes on K-1, he kicked ass to get that belt. Strikeforce is definitely the one that can boost his standing in MMA, although not the best of the best, a win over any of the guys mentioned as possible entrants in their HW GP would do Alistair some good. Brett Rogers was a good win, but when that’s Alistair’s only Strikeforce fight in so long, it’s hard to really care.
I’m optimistic for Strikeforce’s future at heavyweight in 2011 though, if the matches are actually made, and the fights go down, it’ll be great.
Twitter me @kkelchner621
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by Kaleb Kelchner on Jan 1, 2011 10:58 AM EST up reply actions
Currently I think it's Overeem who boosts the value of Strikeforce and their belt
Rather than the SF belt helping Overeem out in any way. My concern is how often Overeem will want to fight, and expecting Fedor & M1 to mess about just as much if not more in 2011. But as I said, I’ll leave that to my commentary for Monday.
Overeem
is the Number 1 fighter in all of combat sports right now. Hate if you want to.
Hopefully he gets to fight Fedor in MMA and Badr Hari in K-1 this year.
Overeem is the number #1 HW Kickboxer at the moment
And that’s full contact Kickboxing, mind. He’s the most successful mixed-combat athlete at the moment though. But yeah – not number one in all combat sports. I think he can do well in MMA until he runs into a really good wrestler who can avoid his guillotine. and he’d get killed by a Klitchko if he ever tried his hand at Boxing. A fight with David Haye would be kind of interesting though.
Bas Rutten.....
Has the Reem ranked number on in his HW rankings.
by MMA: No Heels Required on Jan 2, 2011 1:03 PM EST reply actions
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