Alistair Overeem. Photo: Susumo Nagao
Strikeforce is serving up an unusual fight for its heavyweight belt. The match had been confirmed, but was not worth the title. Now that situation has changed. The fight in question is the one between Alistair Overeem and Brett Rogers, which takes place April 17 in St. Louis.
Why is the organization’s decision so odd? First of all, Overeem hasn’t fought in the event in over two years. His last fight was against Paul Buentello in November of 2007. Before that he Dutchman had only made one appearance in Strikeforce, when he defeated Vitor Belfort, in 2005.
Stranger still is Rogers having a shot at the belt, since he is coming off a resounding-knockout loss applied by Fedor Emelianenko.
The fight will be at the same event as Roger Gracie’s debut in the organization. Besides the Jiu-Jitsu black belt,Andrei Arlovski will also see action against Antonio Silva and there’s a likelihood Vitor Shaolin will face Lyle Beerbohm.