UFC on Fox 13 features Stefan “Skyscraper” Struve’s return to mixed martial arts when he takes on Alistair Overeem. Struve has been out of action since March 2013 after he was diagnosed with a leaking aortic valve and enlarged heart.
In his return fight against Overeem, he faces one of the most dangerous strikers in the heavyweight division. And, despite chronic setbacks, Overeem still possesses the power and technical ability on his feet to put away anyone that stands in front of him.
This will be Struve’s 14th UFC fight, and the 26-year-old is accustomed to sharing the cage with world-class heavyweights. He made his Octagon debut against Junior dos Santos when he was just 21 years old.
Overeem comes into this fight with the all-too-familiar sting of a TKO loss—this time at the hands of Ben Rothwell in September.
Both men justifiably believe they have a lot to prove on the big stage, and here are the keys to victory for both fighters.
Alistair Overeem: Keep the Fight Standing and Don’t Get Caught
At this point in his career, Overeem needs to come out with guns blazing. It’s do or die for The Demolition Man. Being tentative has cost him dearly in past fights against Antonio Silva, Travis Browne and Rothwell.
Against Struve, he needs to have the type of start he did against Browne without slowing down and allowing his opponent to recover. He shouldn’t be entirely reckless, but he needs to fight with some serious finishing instincts. Struve is the tallest fighter in the UFC, so it shouldn’t be hard to land some mean kicks to the body to set up the knockout.
The road map is there, and Overeem has been on this trail before. He just needs to avoid making the wrong turns he’s taken in the past.
Stefan Struve: Avoid Power Shots and Look for Openings
We don’t know how a nearly two-year layoff is going to impact Struve. Here’s to hoping his issues are behind him and he’s prepared for battle.
Against Overeem, he needs to weather the early storm—or avoid it altogether. If past is prologue, Overeem will leave himself vulnerable at some point, and that is where Struve needs to capitalize.
He needs to try to tire Overeem out—or let Overeem do that to himself. He needs to avoid a clinch fight, as that is where Overeem can deal the most punishment. He needs to stay on his bicycle and try to counterstrike against Overeem. The longer the fight goes, the more it favors Struve and his ability to latch onto submissions. He needs to be patient and find his moment.
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