Overeem at open training session yesterday / Photos: UFC/Divulgação
Former Strikeforce and K-1 champion Alistair Overeem has shown signs he’s ready for his UFC debut. The Dutch fighter, whose MMA career dates back to the days of Pride FC, will step into the preeminent cage in world MMA this Friday to try and do what only two before him ever have: take out former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar.
The oversized striker accepted the match-up just after signing with the UFC, and he is confident he can hit the gargantuan American where it counts: “He’s big and strong and may take me down, but I’m training to avoid it. This fight is set for five rounds, and I’ve trained for all five, but personally I don’t think it will get past the first. I’m going to knock Brock Lesnar out by the second round at latest,” he asserted, confident in his Thai boxing ability. “If you think Cain Velasquez hits hard, wait until Friday,” he sneered. (Watch Overeem training in the video below.)
“I never underestimate anyone and Lesnar is an ex-UFC champion. But that’s it, it’s a chance for me to show what I can do, to my fans, critics and the UFC fans who perhaps haven’t seen much of me yet. All the talk, all the training, and the time in the gym and on the treadmill—it will all come together on Friday night. I’m a complete fighter, I train everything; but the plan for Friday is to use my striking, something I concentrated on because I wanted to be the first MMA champion to also have won a K-1 Grand Prix, which I managed to do a year ago. Obviously, it has always been my greatest weapon since even before K-1, but I’ve gotten a lot better at it. Now I feel that there isn’t a heavyweight out there who can beat me. But this is MMA, and I’m prepared for anything that comes up. He wants it; I want it. One will win; the other will fall,” said Overeem in closing.
Overeem has 47 MMA fights on his record, with 14 of his 35 wins coming by way of knockout. He also has 17 submission finishes, which he tends to surprise his opponents with—mainly the ones who leave a neck or an arm astray. What do you think, dear reader, will he indeed demolish Lesnar standing or have some surprise Jiu-Jitsu move up his sleeve? Comment below!
UFC 141
Las Vegas, USA
December 30, 2011
Brock Lesnar vs Alistar Overeem
Nate Diaz vs Donald Cerrone
Jon Fitch vs Johny Hendricks
Vladimir Matyushenko vs Alexander Gustafsson
Nam Phan vs Jim Hettes
Under card (American TV)
Ross Pearson vs Junior Assunção
Anthony Njokuani vs Danny Castillo
Card Preliminar (Facebook)
Dong Hyun Kim vs Sean Pierson
Jacob Volkmann vs Efrain Escudero
Matt Riddle vs Luis Ramos
Manny Gamburyan vs Diego Nunes
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