According to multiple reports, a non-title bout between Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion Alistair Overeem and Bret Rogers, is in the works for Strikeforce’s upcoming May 15th event. Apparently Overeem made the announcement on his Twitter account, but soon after took it down, although reports from MMA Fighting and MMA Junkie confirm that the fight is indeed being negotiated.
In case you’re somewhat new to this ‘ultimate fighting’ stuff, and have largely consumed a MMA diet of UFC action to date, you’re probably asking ‘’who the eff is Alistair Overeem?’ Now although this really is a sign that you’re not taking the sport as seriously as us nerds, and would get schooled in a heated ‘best Sakuraba moment ever’ debate, it’s somewhat understandable since Overeem hasn’t fought for Strikeforce since December, 2007…yup, that’s one patient promotion there folks. A lot of organizations would have stripped the belt from the Dutch fighter months ago.
It’s not like Overeem has been spending his time enjoying the ‘sights and sounds’ (and there are plenty) of Amsterdam, he’s actually fought a lot between K-1 and MMA, just not in N.A. In fact, if you want to get an idea of Overeem’s game, check out his NYE ‘humans aren’t meant to be kneed’ victory over Kazayuki Fujita.
In a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Overeem claims that Fedor Emelianenko isn’t interested in fighting, and that he’s looking forward to smacking Roger’s “face and mouth.” Should be good, but really, shouldn’t Alistair be defending his belt here eventually?