Yesterday we passed along the news that Fedor Emelianenko is calling out Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion Alistair Overeem to be his next opponent in 2010 (we used to say victim, but these days, we’re not so sure). Fabricio Werdum is a no go until 2011 due to elbow surgery, so apparently, Fedor and his M-1 Global crew have decided that the Russian heavyweight should throw down with Overeem next.
Well, as well all know (some more than others), often in life you don’t get what you want, and while speaking to MMA Fighting Overeem pretty much dismissed any chance that he’ll face Fedor in 2010.
“No, unfortunately not. The reason is because if I enter the Final 16 and win (in October), I will fight the K-1 Final in December. My decision was made because nothing was certain and Strikeforce and M-1 didn’t act fast enough when I made my decision to start K-1 training. Now I read on the internet that Fedor and his management want to fight me all of sudden. Do they really need two months of thinking and negotiating? I think it’s a little strange to be honest.”
In addition to his K-1 commitments, Overeem also raised the completely rational yet meddling point, regarding the fact that since Fedor just lost to Werdum, why would he get a title shot? (Does Brett Rogers want to field this one?) In Alistair’s Dutch eyes, Fedor is ranked #3 and Antonio Silva is #4, and thus, those two should fight. Well, considering Fedor’s seemingly ever decreasing options, maybe he’ll just have to do that.