The latest buzz in the MMA world is the possible match up between former UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar and current Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion Alistair Overeem. If this bout goes down, it is expected for UFC 140 in December, and the event would be in Canada.
If this fight goes down, this would be an interesting fight for many reasons. Both men are hype trains, they are two of the scariest looking men in the division and both are good at putting on exciting fights.
So, the big question is, who has the advantages in each department?
In the stand up department, there is no doubt that Alistair Overeem has the clear advantage. Both are about equal when it comes to strength, but overall striking, it goes to Overeem. Overeem has always had a questionable chin, and Brock was TKO’d, but he has never been knocked out. Alistair has the advantage in the knees and kicks as well. Lesnar is still learning when it comes to proper striking, but when he lands a punch, there is a high chance that the opponent is going down. So, overall in the striking, Overeem takes this department.
On the ground is where this fight becomes interesting. In the take down department, it is all Lesnar. Overeem appears to have good take down defense, but there is one problem. Overeem has not once in his career faced a “true” wrestler. In his fight with Werdum, it was obvious that he was waiting on take downs, and well, that truly affected his striking. Lesnar literally bull rushes his opponents, and it is rare to not be taken down by Lesnar, but it isn’t impossible.
In the submission department, you have to give a small advantage to Overeem due to his Abu Dhabi experience. Lesnar is working hard on his submission wrestling, aka “Catch” wrestling. Overall, it is Lesnar’s world on the ground, but if Overeem has amazing take down defense, then it could be interesting.
Cardio will be the most important factor in this fight. Lesnar has always had great cardio due to his athletic past, and throughout the years, this department has been a huge question mark for Overeem. In past fights when Overeem has become tired, he tends to retreat, and that has led to his defeat. Lucky for him, his past 10 opponents have not been the greatest of talent, so he has made quick work of them.
Lesnar, on the other hand, has never had to worry with cardio issues, so this department he is favored in as well.
Mental aspect is where this fight gets interesting. Overeem’s heart has been questioned in the past, when he was facing top guys. It is unknown if he gets nervous or just psyched out before a huge fight, but when facing top 10 opponents, he has only posted a 3-8 record throughout his entire career.
In his past two fights, Lesnar’s heart has been questioned. It appears he is almost afraid to take a punch. It is quite odd, because when he first came into the UFC, he was steamrolling his opponents with ease, and when he returned, he was a changed man. So in this, these men are virtually even.
So, who takes this fight, and how?
Two possible outcomes for this fight.
Fight starts pretty fast with Lesnar going instantly for a take down, gets Overeem pressed against the cage, takes him down and pounds on him. Overeem would eventually tire out, and the fight would be stopped either end of the first or mid second round.
The second possibility would be Lesnar goes for a take down, does not land it and the men clinch. Overeem landing the better of the shots on the feet, landing his signature knees and making quick work of Lesnar and impressing the world.
Either way, if this fight happens, it appears that this would in fact be a title eliminator fight. There are tons of hype and question marks that have been around both men for the past few years. This fight would determine who is all hype and who is all substance.
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