The most anticipated fight of the year is not going to end the way most people think.
Brock Lesnar versus Alistair Overeem on Dec. 30 in Vegas has got the fighting world abuzz for multiple reasons:
1.) Lesnar’s battles with diverticulitis are not as serious as previously rumored.
2.) The news confirms that Overeem, who was released from Strikeforce because he refused a fight set for the upcoming weekend, is officially headed for the UFC.
3.) It extinguishes the rumor that the UFC would hold an event in Dubai for New Year’s Eve
As far as the actually fight is concerned, you have to like Overeem over Lesnar in the battle of the two biggest brutes in the heavyweight division. Overeem is a K-1 kickboxing champion and the most celebrated striker in the heavyweight division.
Lesnar was less than stellar against Cain Velasquez, a less accomplished version of Overeem, and is going to really struggle to run away.
Sure Lesnar is a much better wrestler, but his stamina is not nearly what it used to be and the incredible conditioning and stamina of Overeem is going to play a huge factor in the fight.
Another aspect to take into account is rust factor. Lesnar hasn’t participated in a MMA fight since last October. That means it will be 14 months between fights for a guy that is now 34 years old. Overeem on the other hand, recently defeated Fabricio Werdum in June.
The time is now to make your bet on Overeem as Bodog has Lesnar and Overeem as a pick’em, with the line at minus-115 on either side.
Expect a somewhat boring match where Overeem wears out Lesnar, stays out of wrestling situations and eventually puts him into submission.
It’s not going to be an exciting fight for the crowd…but Overeem couldn’t care less.
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