If UFC is going to keep ascending in popularity and marketability, they need Alistair Overeem to become an identifiable and dominant champion.
Dana White has been doing everything in his power to push his sport into the spotlight. They have become the undisputed kings of the MMA world, and they are definitely growing their audience.
The November 13th fight for the heavyweight championship, which saw Junior dos Santos quickly beat Cain Velasquez, was broadcast on Fox and drew the largest North American audience of any MMA fight.
Now the sport just needs something, or someone, to push it over the top. They almost had that with the man Overeem just knocked into retirement, but Brock Lesnar‘s incendiary career was derailed by diverticulitis.
Reigning king Dos Santos has a chance to become that person. He is young and dominant, but he lacks the “it” factor to truly capture the public’s imagination. Hence the need for Overeem.
Why Alistair is the Answer
This was Overeem’s UFC debut. He had previously held titles in Dream and Strikeforce. He won these titles, and his fight with Lesnar, largely based on the fact that Overeem is a champion kickboxer. He specializes in crippling and viscous strikes.
This is the kind of fight that leads to big-time highlights and crowd-pleasing excitement. Alistair isn’t going to get opponents to tap out while in the midst of a submission hold. He is going to knock them to the ground with a stunning a blow.
And that is the kind of explosive violence that grabs people’s eyeballs and won’t let them turn away. That is exactly what will push UFC’s ratings through the roof.
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com