On Tuesday morning, UFC president Dana White tweeted a smiley face and then, perhaps drawing out the suspense of what was to follow, took 15 minutes to deliver his follow-up tweet: And with those 10 words he confirmed what will be the bigges…
On Tuesday morning, UFC president Dana White tweeted a smiley face and then, perhaps drawing out the suspense of what was to follow, took 15 minutes to deliver his follow-up tweet:
And with those 10 words he confirmed what will be the biggest heavyweight fight in combined weight and most likely pay-per-view buys for the promotion in 2011.
Overeem’s status for the fight was thrown into doubt last week when he delivered a delayed and improperly administered steroid test to the UFC. During a hearing with the Nevada State Athletic Commission, Overeem detailed the reasons for the delay and why a blood test was administered by his personal doctor rather a urine test from a testing facility.
The NSAC were seemingly satisfied with Overeem’s explanation that he did not willingly avoid the out-of-competition testing and awarded him a conditional license to compete against Brock Lesnar at UFC 141. The first condition of that license was that he take a urine test within 72 hours of the hearing’s end.
Overeem lived up to that condition, flying from Holland to England to take the test, which, according to White’s tweet, came back clean, clearing Overeem for the December 30fight. With that being said, there are still remaining conditions to be met by Overeem.
The first is that he be tested when he returns to the United States from Holland. Following that, he is subject to two random drug tests after the fight.
The five-round bout between Lesnar and Overeem will determine the No. 1 contender for the UFC heavyweight title that is currently held by Junior dos Santos.
These “Quick Breaks” are short breakdowns of upcoming fights. In a summed up focus of strengths, weaknesses and variables; this will analyze what could happen in the fight, and end with this writer’s prediction. Brock Lesnar vs….
These “Quick Breaks” are short breakdowns of upcoming fights. In a summed up focus of strengths, weaknesses and variables; this will analyze what could happen in the fight, and end with this writer’s prediction.
Brock Lesnar vs. Alistair Overeem could prove to be one of the biggest PPV’s of the year, and possibly ever. This fight headlines UFC 141 and truly pits two of the most dominant and physically large heavyweights against each other.
When this fight was announced, all that came to mind was the old math question from school …the one that asked when the two trains going at X velocity from two different locations would eventually collide. Seems our answer is December 30th.
Brock Lesnar is currently 5-2, coming off a loss to Cain Velasquez over a year ago. Alistair Overeem is 35-11, coming off a 10-fight winning streak. Statistics would favor Overeem.
The year layoff is huge, and how Brock has recovered from his illness is yet to be determined. Along with that, how has he improved since his turtle-antics in his fight with Velasquez? Hopefully, he has focused more on his striking and countering.
Alistair has the advantage while on the feet, even though his last fight against Werdum was a little lackluster. His kickboxing background is strong, and he is no stranger to big, strong guys. On the ground is where this fight can get interesting. Brock has excellent wrestling, and his sheer size will run you into the mat, but Overeem has proved time and again that he is no slouch on the ground.
Overeem has a submission advantage over Lesnar, but if Lesnar is reigning down hammer-fists that lead to a TKO, there is not much time to catch an arm or leg. Both fighter’s necks (or lack thereof) paired with the other’s arms might negate the attempts of guillotines and other chokes! Lesnar can submit a fighter, but Overeem has rarely been caught in submissions, and usually is the one slapping them on.
Cardio is a huge factor here. This fight will probably end early, or go to a decision. If these two guy charge at each other and swing, someone is getting TKO’d/KO’d. If it draws into the third round, stamina will start to go. With great muscles comes great oxygen necessity. The air needed to fuel such big guys, as well as the heart to pump new blood to and from the muscles is a battle of its own.
Overeem has the stamina advantage, but if Alistair hasn’t put away Lesnar by the third or fourth round, chances are he won’t at all. There are always flurries and chances to capitalize on your opponent’s mistakes while they tire, but by the time Lesnar is gassed, one can suspect Overeem will be on his way too.
All in all, this fight will be over by the third round, or go to a decision. For the sake of the media and fans, we will all be hoping for the finish, but you never know. Two huge guys in front of each other means someone is getting hit hard, or they’ll be timid out of respect of their opponent’s abilities.
Prediction: Alistair Overeem wins via TKO about 3-4 minutes into the 1st Round.
Alistair Overeem, since signing that much-coveted contract last September 6, is now—for all intents and purposes—a UFC fighter. He is now officially a proud combatant of the most popular and prestigious MMA organization in the world. But to…
Alistair Overeem, since signing that much-coveted contract last September 6, is now—for all intents and purposes—a UFC fighter.
He is now officially a proud combatant of the most popular and prestigious MMA organization in the world.
But to others, especially those hopelessly afflicted by UFCentrism, The Dutch Cyclone remains an outsider. And they would like to believe that he is nothing more than an overgrown sheep being led to the slaughter.
Don’t be surprised that the promotion’s top dog himself silently seethes with the same perception towards the recently welcomed fighter. After all, Dana White has been the proud president of the UFC slaughterhouse since 2001.
Sure, White lavishes endless and much-deserved praise for Anderson Silva, MMA’s reigning pound-for-pound king whose UFC middleweight championship belt is sewn around his waist. This notwithstanding that The Spider is a former fighter of the now-defunct Pride Fighting Championship.
Count in, too, that the following Pride FC marquee fighters played musical chairs with the UFC light heavyweight throne before they got cut to the Bones: Quinton Jackson, Lyoto Machida and Maurico Rua.
The highly estimable veteran Dan Henderson is also back swinging in the UFC, surviving and winning the thrilling five-round attrition with Rua.
Lastly, Antonio Noguiera did become UFC Interim Heavyweight Champion. And we can’t blame those who think that “interim” is synonymous with “very temporary,” or worse, “phony.”
There is no doubt that that these elite fighters were given equal-opportunity treatment in the UFC after entering it as legal and highly-touted immigrants who jumped off a sinking ship. (Some may argue that Zuffa actually bought then blasted the submerging Pride FC Enterprise.)
Besides, they’re just too damn good to be ignored or swept aside, especially Silva. Heck, calling The Spider good nowadays is blasphemy.
But what about the other dozen Pride FC recruits who weren’t as fortunate?
Takanori Gomi has not been as impressive as he was in his former playground. Mirko Filipović had more losses than wins in the UFC (4-6), the last loss versus Roy Nelson pushing him into retirement.
In fairness to White, he had shown—and continues to show—patience and generosity to these Pride FC stalwarts.
This treatment merited the following grateful compliment from Filipović right before leaving the octagon for the last time: “I was treated like a king from the beginning. It’s in my best interest that this is my farewell fight, thanks everybody.”
A historical tidbit on the failed UFC expedition in the Pride 2003 Middleweight Grand Prix:
Back in the days when most MMA fans feverishly expressed their belief that Pride FC had the better fights and fighters, Dana White sent Chuck Liddell sailing to Japan to prove the popular opinion wrong.
The following is an accurate account on how it ended in disappointment for the Zuffa top brass:
After his defeat to Couture, Liddell entered the Pride 2003 Middleweight Grand Prix tournament as the official UFC representative. After defeating Muay-Thai specialist Alistair Overeem in the first round of the tournament In an action packed bout Liddell was getting out landed by the taller, quicker and more technical striking of Overeem but later in the round Liddell landed an overhand punch to the head of Overeem staggering him into the ropes, Liddell rushed in with knees and straight rights and knocked him out at the latter stages of the first round. In the next round Liddell was eliminated by Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, The first round Liddell was landing shots as he found his distance but Jackson countered with powerful strikes rocking Liddell numerous times. In the second round, Jackson continued to out land Liddell with big punches but couldn’t finish him. Later in the second round a visibly exhausted and stunned Liddell was taken down at will numerous times and while taking a barrage of punches from the ground his corner threw in the towel, giving Jackson the upset victory.
Interestingly, Overeem is now presented a chance to avenge himself against the mother organization which sent the fighter who KO’d him in 2003, by invading her home as adopted son.
White, on his part, also gets to prove the superiority of his brand versus the fan favorite of yore with a Brock Lesnar win over Overeem, who is probably the last major holdover from the Pride FC unless the fading Fedor Emelianenko eventually signs up next.
This is now only a virtual battle—waged inside the minds of veteran MMA fans who are still nostalgic of the Japanese promotion’s heyday. As for all the glory that was Pride FC, it has become a mere collection of fight videos archived on YouTube.
Still, who knows what bitter memories make White lose some sleep?
Why Lesnar over The Reem?
Lesnar was also once an outsider: from the WWE into the UFC, with a foray into Japanese Pro-Wrestling, the NFL and K-1 Dynamite!! USA, respectively, in-between.
Who can forget how the crowd booed him during his entrance for his UFC debut, which he lost to Frank Mir?
“What’s a famous fake fighter doing in in our world of real fighting? To hell with his 2000 NCAA heavyweight championship title and one-fight victory over a certain Min Soo Kim!”
Eventually, Lesnar silenced many critics by becoming UFC champion. Not only that, he proved to be a boon to the sport, with UFC events featuring his fights garnering some of the biggest live gate, attendance and pay-per-view figures.
Also, Lesnar (5-2) built his still young MMA career and earned respectability as a legit fighter in the UFC.
The UFC can claim that Lesnar is its pet project, his only venture outside being a one-night affair in K-1 Dynamite!! USA for his first MMA fight.
Overeem, on the other hand, toiled over his 35-11 fight record in various other organizations, most significantly in Pride FC and Strikeforce—both main rival promotions of the UFC till Zuffa irrefutably proved who’s boss by buying ‘em out.
Lesnar is UFC’s darling and Overeem won’t take away that esteem very easily.
For now, Overeem has to content himself and be grateful that the UFC guaranteed him further employment.
He has to bear, though, that hardcore UFC loyalists led by White are praying for his beatdown in the hands of the former UFC Heavyweight Champion.
White’s got to be rooting for his boy Lesnar this UFC 141 on December 30, 2011, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
He can’t wait to be vindicated once again in that Pride FC vs. UFC lingering war in his mind. To smirk in self-gratification in case Lesnar destroys Overeem and think to himself, “I knew it!”
After all, who invites his neighbor’s children to come over just to beat his very own?
Alistair Overeem has passed his December 14 drug test, clearing a major hurdle in the way of a scheduled UFC 141 main event matchup with Brock Lesnar.
UFC president Dana White tweeted Overeem’s clearance earlier Tuesday, and MMA Fighting confirmed the news with the Nevada state athletic commission (NSAC), which had ordered Overeem to take a new test after previous difficulties in obtaining a sample.
Under the terms of a conditional license, Overeem is still subject to a standard pre-fight test the day before UFC 141, as well as two random drug tests in the next six months at his own expense.
Last Monday, the Lesnar-Overeem fight was threatened when NSAC debated whether or not to issue Overeem a license. The commission’s executive director Keith Kizer said that he tried to set up a random test on November 17, but Overeem didn’t take a test until six days later and submitted himself to the wrong one.
While that blood sample reportedly came back clean, NSAC asked him to provide a urine sample known as a “basic steroid panel.” He did so on December 7, but the results hadn’t been made available by the commission’s Dec. 12 meeting. In addition, Overeem admitted that he had taken the test at his personal doctor’s office. As it turns out, that sample ended up being untested and destroyed, according to an email Overeem’s doctor Jan-Jan de Bruijne sent the UFC. By then, however, NSAC had already ordered another test.
Overeem blamed the problem on a confusion with dealing with state athletic commissions on random tests for the first time.
His third and final test, taken in the UK two days after the NSAC hearing, came back “negative for all prohibited substances,” according to Kizer.
As long as the final hurdles are cleared, Overeem-Lesnar will take place as the main event of UFC 141, Dec. 30 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Alistair Overeem has passed his December 14 drug test, clearing a major hurdle in the way of a scheduled UFC 141 main event matchup with Brock Lesnar.
UFC president Dana White tweeted Overeem’s clearance earlier Tuesday, and MMA Fighting confirmed the news with the Nevada state athletic commission (NSAC), which had ordered Overeem to take a new test after previous difficulties in obtaining a sample.
Under the terms of a conditional license, Overeem is still subject to a standard pre-fight test the day before UFC 141, as well as two random drug tests in the next six months at his own expense.
Last Monday, the Lesnar-Overeem fight was threatened when NSAC debated whether or not to issue Overeem a license. The commission’s executive director Keith Kizer said that he tried to set up a random test on November 17, but Overeem didn’t take a test until six days later and submitted himself to the wrong one.
While that blood sample reportedly came back clean, NSAC asked him to provide a urine sample known as a “basic steroid panel.” He did so on December 7, but the results hadn’t been made available by the commission’s Dec. 12 meeting. In addition, Overeem admitted that he had taken the test at his personal doctor’s office. As it turns out, that sample ended up being untested and destroyed, according to an email Overeem’s doctor Jan-Jan de Bruijne sent the UFC. By then, however, NSAC had already ordered another test.
Overeem blamed the problem on a confusion with dealing with state athletic commissions on random tests for the first time.
His third and final test, taken in the UK two days after the NSAC hearing, came back “negative for all prohibited substances,” according to Kizer.
As long as the final hurdles are cleared, Overeem-Lesnar will take place as the main event of UFC 141, Dec. 30 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
According to ESPN.com, former UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar is heading into UFC 141 with the intentions of inflicting the same pain on Alistair Overeem as he did Frank Mir back at UFC 100. “I am 100%. I am…
According to ESPN.com, former UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar is heading into UFC 141 with the intentions of inflicting the same pain on Alistair Overeem as he did Frank Mir back at UFC 100.
“I am 100%. I am as fast, as strong and as explosive as I’ve ever been and you’re going to see the same guy who beat Frank Mir to a pulp at UFC 100,” Lesnar said during a UFC 141 conference call.
Lesnar, who makes his first return to the Octagon since losing his title to Cain Velasquez back in October 2010, has recently overcome a career and life-threatening disease in the guise of diverticulitis.
Still, he’s quite adamant that he’s got the tools to upend the former Strikeforce heavyweight champion come fight night.
“If I go in and execute my game plan, then I am winning this fight. That’s the bottom line here,” Lesnar said.”
“The Demolition Man” making his debut for the Zuffa-based firm was also in attendance at the conference call.
And he went so far as to suggest that he’d dispatch the DeathClutch trained fighter within two rounds of their scheduled five-round matchup.
The former NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Division I wrestler responded in kind.
“Overeem says he is knocking me out in two rounds. Well, I am glad he has the ability to see the future. That’s his dream. On Friday December 30 his dream will be over.”
Apropos his physicality going into the fight, Lesnar believes that he’s more or less back to his best, and thus, is raring to go, having prepared for the full five rounds.
Nonetheless, the former WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) performer is convinced that the fight won’t go the distance.
“Look, I’ve had a great camp. This is the best I have felt in years and lardy-lardy-da…I could go through all the clichés about how in shape I am, but the fact is, I know myself and my own body, and I know that I am back.”
“I’ve trained for five round fights for all my UFC fights, even before I fought for the title. And I defended my title two times against top guys, training for a five round fight. But this isn’t going five rounds. I promise you that.”
The winner of these two behemoths is next slated for a title shot against current UFC heavyweight champion Junior “Cigano” Dos Santos.
Heading into UFC 141, there has been more talk about Brock Lesnar and Alistair Overeem’s personal lives than the bout itself. Lesnar’s health has been well documented since his last appearance inside the Octagon at UFC 122. The former UFC hea…
Heading into UFC 141, there has been more talk about Brock Lesnar and Alistair Overeem’s personal lives than the bout itself.
Lesnar’s health has been well documented since his last appearance inside the Octagon at UFC 122.
The former UFC heavyweight champion underwent a second surgery after being diagnosed with diverticulitis once again, forcing him out of a anticipated bout with current UFC heavyweight champion, Junior dos Santos.
Alistair Overeem’s recent battle with the Nevada Athletic State Commission regarding multiple drug tests has kept his name firmly in the spotlight, but for all the wrong reasons, as the 265-pound Dutchman has faced constant accusations of steroid abuse.
After answering numerous questions regarding either man’s health and preparation, UFC Director of Public Relations Dave Scholler told reporters to ask relevant questions regarding their upcoming bout.
But if there is one thing both competitors have in common, it’s that they see themselves walking away with a win on December 30th.
“I feel the same,” Lesnar added. “This is a heavyweight fight that, you know, we’re both going in to finish this fight. I don’t foresee it going five rounds.”
Either Lesnar or Overeem has a chance to earn the opportunity to contend for the UFC heavyweight title with a victory and stand alone as the best heavyweight in the sport.
And judging by their impatience and disregard for the media, both men are only focused on their heavyweight matchup.
On Tuesday morning, UFC president Dana White tweeted a smiley face and then, perhaps drawing out the suspense of what was to follow, took 15 minutes to deliver his follow-up tweet: