Alistair in Wonderland
Dutch kickboxer Alistair Overeem prepares to face Brett Rogers at Strikeforce: Heavy Artillery on May 15, 2010
Even if it seems that Alistair “The Demolition Man” Overeem has had a fairy-tale rise to heavyweight prominence, it’s no fantasy. Alistair “Demolition Man” Overeem is still in it for the long haul. The 29-year-old Dutch kickboxer currently guards the Strikeforce Heavyweight belt, which he will defend May 15th in a bout versus the rags-to-riches striker Brett Rogers. “Strikeforce: Heavy Artillery,” also featuring Andrei Arlovski, will air on Showtime. This is the first fight for Alistair Overeem on North American soil since he won the belt in November, 2007.
Brett Rogers was offered – some would say gifted – a title shot after his November 2009 loss to Fedor Emelianenko. Scott Coker, Strikeforce CEO, stated that making it into round two versus Fedor is sufficient to warrant a title shot, and you have to admit the man’s got a point.
Which begs the question – why isn’t “WAMMA” heavyweight champ Fedor the one to step into the cage versus Overeem on May 15th? Fedor is fighting Fabricio Werdum later this year. While it might seem obvious to pit two champs with two different belts in one promotion against each other as early as possible, bear in mind that the Strikeforce heavyweight pantry is a little lean at the moment. Setting up a future title fight between Emelianenko and Overeem (should they win their respective upcoming bouts) is good business and in no way detracts from their pending opponents, both of whom are dangerous in their own respects.
But just who is this phantom heavyweight? Who is this Dutch pugilist who has only fought 3 of 44 fights in the USA – soon to be 4 of 45?
After three straight light-heavyweight losses in 2006-2007 - which included losses to two current UFC light-heavyweights Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Mauricio Shogun Rua – Overeem moved up to the heavyweight division, where he embarked on a global rampage, winning seven consecutive fights, six of which ended in the first round, and five of those by submission (not counting the no-contest against Mirco Crocop). Allow me to remind you that “Demolition Man” is also a world-class kickboxer, most recently victorious in a bout at the 2010 World K-1 Grand Prix.
In his storied PRIDE run, Overeem dabbled in both weight classes, defeating PRIDE stalwarts Sergei Kharitonov, Vitor Belfort and Igor Vovchanchyn (and losing to Chuck Liddell in the 2003 PRIDE Total Elimination Tournament, also featuring Rich Franklin). However, he seemed to have difficulty with the weight cut, notoriously gassing when he lacked the wherewithal to finish fights early. His height, 6’5” and natural weight, bolstered by muscle mass, did not betoken success at the 205-pound weight limit. A move to 225+ pounds was a natural choice.
As implied, at heavyweight, Overeem seems to have found his footing, and potentially, future greatness. In DREAM, Strikeforce and co-promotions, Overeem has vanquished a veritable who’s who of internationally-ranked heavyweights: Paul Buentello (2007, where Overeem took the Strikeforce heavyweight belt), Mark Hunt, James Thompson, Gary Goodridge and most recently, Kazuyuki Fujita, whom he defeated via KO New Years Eve, 2009.
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Should Alistair Overeem best Brett Rogers on May 15th, he will likely face the winner of Emelianenko/Werdum. Interestingly, Overeem lost to Werdum at the 2006 PRIDE Open Weight Grand Prix (where Overeem fought at heavyweight). Given the plausibility of Werdum’s loss to Fedor, this could set up yet another preparatory match for the seemingly inevitable clash between Emelianenko and Overeem.
Granted, other than these four heavyweights currently circling in contention, there is not much to offer. Andrei Arlovski is a veteran with a suspect chin. Antonio Silva just lost to Fabricio Werdum. Wily free agents abound (Jeff Monson, Mark Hunt, Josh Barnett), but up-and-comers are few and far between. Bobby Lashley is a definite up-and-comer, a la Brock Lesnar, but both he and bulk of Strikeforce’s heavyweight roster are not ready for the big leagues.
Strikeforce is a young brand, and although it inherited the bulk of its stables from the much-vaunted but financially beleaguered – and now defunct – Elite XC promotion, viable heavyweights are tough to come by. It doesn’t matter for the time being. Strikeforce is playing its cards close to the chest with lengthy gaps between elite heavyweight bouts, and maintaining close ties with sister promotions overseas to bolster the ranks and set up a new heavyweight dynasty. With “The Demolition Man” at the center of the explosive new rivalries, the future should bode well.
By Roy Kok
ProFighting-fans.com MMA Staff Writer