It hasn’t been a great week for UFC heavyweight Alistair Overeem. After being pegged as the man responsible for derailing a title bout between light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier, Overeem’s own teammate is now speaking out against his training habits. Fellow heavyweight Andrei Arlovski has trained alongside Overeem since the former Strikeforce champion arrived at Jackson’s MMA in April, but may have already seen enough.
“I do not like to wash dirty linen in public, but in these words there is a weighty truth,” Arlovski told Sports.ru (via Bloody Elbow). “A few days ago I was sparring with Alistair Overeem and experienced firsthand how it can end. As usual sparring goes: men represent strikes, touch each other, but do not tend to cause real damage to the partner. During one of the highlights of our sparring Overeem hit me with the hardest knee kick in the stomach. In a real fight would turn out for me by knockout.”
Arlovski goes on to explain that the incident sent him to the hospital, nearly forcing him to withdraw from his own main event bout with Antonio Silva booked for Sept. 13.
“After that, I immediately went to the hospital to make sure that my ribs were not broken,” said Arlovski. “Thank God, everything turned out OK, although at first we were afraid that my fight with Bigfoot would be cancelled. It was so unexpected and so unpleasant that at first I even wanted to take revenge on him, at least hit him with his elbow. But my boxing coach, Andrei Ivchuk, turned around and reassured me. “Do not be like the people who allow themselves to such dirty tricks – he said. – No need to stoop to their level. ” As you can see, a competent coach – this is very important.”
“Now I know that Overeem injured Jon Jones simply because he injures everyone with whom trains.”
Overeem underwent a 12-hour elbow operation Apr. 9 to correct a pinched nerve, the first surgery of his ’19-year career.’ The Dutchman was in talks to face former heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos earlier this year in a five-round main event in Brazil or three-rounder in Las Vegas, but turned each booking down to mend an injured rib.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Into the fire. Eddie Alvarez has been granted his release by Bellator, has signed with the UFC and will fight Donald Cerrone at UFC 178.
‘Underground king.’ Ariel Helwani chats with Eddie Alvarez just prior to the announcement he had joined the UFC. ‘A lot of people are going to have their opinions and they’re going to say what they’re going to say, but the hardcore fans and the people who know MMA and know fighting they know who the underground king is, who doesn’t have the belt yet, and it should happen very soon.’
Misfire. Bellator president Scott Coker wants to book Paul Daley against Melvin Manhoef, but Daley doesn’t sound interested.
Peahead. Conor McGregor says fans will continue to doubt him, even after beating Dustin Poirier. ‘People are going to call Poirier a bum after I put him away.’
War Machine. Jon Koppenhaver appeared in California court Tuesday and will be extradited to Las Vegas to face criminal charges.
MEDIA STEW
Fight Motion: UFC Fight Night: Bader vs. Saint Preux.
This video is ironically titled, ‘UFC fighters pumped for Halifax card.’ (Full presser here)
Highlights from Tachi Palace Fights 20.
UFC on the Fly: Cung Le.
Hulk Hogan on war machine: ‘He’s lucky it wasn’t Ronda Rousey. He’d have been in trouble.’
Bas Rutten calls his fight with Frank Shamrock.
Long watches.
UFC Macau + UFC Tulsa: Care/Don’t Care Preview
…
EFC 33 Countdown: McLellan vs Du Plessis
TWEETS
Free.
Wish @Ealvarezfight success in all of his future efforts. Great competitor with a bright future & hope he kicks ass in his next stop
— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) August 19, 2014
Congrats @Ealvarezfight you are finally a UFC fighter!!! Cerrone vs Alvarez #UFC178 #Vegas http://t.co/edCXjzQNIb http://t.co/qhMOVTX6Fr
— Dana White (@danawhite) August 19, 2014
Crazy day ! I want all You guys I feel Your excitment and ur Your energy , and thank You ,it’s will make this Training camp the Best 1 yet.
— Edward Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) August 20, 2014
So @Ealvarezfight Thank you Thank you Thank you for making this fight happen!!! Now lets go and give it hell #ufc178
— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) August 19, 2014
Buds.
@MikeChandlerMMA I feel the same brother , brought the best outta each other , ill save the date 4 the future Go get that belt back ! Ousss
— Edward Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) August 20, 2014
Odd men out.
I’ve been a champion way before title fights and this and that. I’ve always carried myself in that manner and I’ll continue to do so
— Will Brooks (@illwillbrooks86) August 20, 2014
@ufc u had my attention when u gave me the masvidal fight now that u have given me the Cerrone fight u have my curiosity #KingArmy
— Bobby King Green (@BobbyKGreen) August 19, 2014
So much hype.
Face off in Halifax http://t.co/lqL30PspXf pic.twitter.com/8dNFgdQngB
— Rory MacDonald (@rory_macdonald) August 19, 2014
From this moment on, I will be known as Hector “Showeather” Lombard.
— Hector Lombard (@HectorLombard) August 19, 2014
Big boss.
Great seeing @josealdojunior and @RenanBaraoUFC train today! Also @junior_cigano!!! Fireworks pic.twitter.com/8J74Tyaoja
— Lorenzo Fertitta (@lorenzofertitta) August 19, 2014
Enough for Bellator.
I’m so much better than “OK,” that it should be illegal. Prolly is, and the SWAT is outside again.
— mayhem (@mayhemmiller) August 19, 2014
All the damn bucket challenges.
Thanks @fontiveros94 for nominating me, I challenge @floydmayweather miketyson evanderholyfield… http://t.co/M0Geb346XN
— Anderson Silva (@SpiderAnderson) August 19, 2014
Here’s my #ALSIceBucketChallenge video: http://t.co/Z5eOe1AaQj. Chuck Norris, @JCVDonline and @geniebouchard you’re up next!!!
— Georges St-Pierre (@GeorgesStPierre) August 19, 2014
I accepted the ALS challenge from @daveophilly theicebreaker ianparkinson @rachelleleah and I… http://t.co/hVJwESyQgx
— Chuck Liddell (@ChuckLiddell) August 20, 2014
Just did my #icebucketchallenge when I made this video I didn’t knw @tjdillashaw already did his…he… http://t.co/JK4reI72p4
— Demetrious Johnson (@MightyMouseUFC) August 20, 2014
I didn’t want to post until I made my donation. Here is my video. @ChrisCamozzi @BRogthePredator @EddieWineland https://t.co/SQKlQoTTUz
— Stipe Miocic (@smiocic) August 20, 2014
#IceBucketChallenge Renegade style! I challenge #UFC178 opponent @MannyGamburyan http://t.co/rXeMdvARly
— Cody Gibson (@TheRenegade559) August 19, 2014
I accept the ALS Ice bucket challenge I nominate @GilbertMelendez @Showtimepettis & @PhilMrWonderful ? http://t.co/GcL9U72NDw
— ‘Rowdy’ Bec Rawlings (@RowdyBec) August 17, 2014
I accept @EveTorresGracie #alsicebucketchallenge! Up next @BrianTcity @lyotomachidafw & @BrendanSchaub Get it bros! http://t.co/a4j2DkbT72
— Rener Gracie (@RenerGracie) August 19, 2014
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Aug. 19 2014)
Bobby Green out, Eddie Alvarez vs. Donald Cerrone at UFC 178
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via Bad to the Bone.
UFC 177 – Dillashaw vs. Barao II: More than Mind Games going on in the Bantamweight Division?
What is Renan Barao doing getting back into a rematch after a knockout loss less than 6 months after he says all he remembers is that he woke up in his dressing room, no longer bantamweight champion? Who are his coaches? Barao is only 3-4 months removed from his stunning loss to T. J. Dillashaw, May 24th to be accurate. Who knows if he has returned to sparring yet or not in preparation for this bout, but, in my opinion, this is surely going to be the career turning point for him. In which direction remains yet to be determined, but, if I had to back my argument up with a recent example, I would use Anderson Silva as someone who rushed back into a rematch title shot. Aside from returning too soon, I think Barao will have some doubts in the back of his mind, and not be 100% mentally ready to be re-climbing that championship mountain. Of course I could be wrong, Luke Rockhold has rebounded and looked unstoppable since his KO loss to Vitor Belfort. But I just think that it will be too much pressure, and not enough time for Barao to return to championship form.
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