Alistair Overeem vs. Fabricio Werdum
Alistair Overeem (34-11-1)
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 265 pounds
Wins: 14 knockouts, 19 submissions, 1 decision
Losses: 6 knockouts, 2 submissions, 3 decisions
Fabricio Werdum (14-4-1)
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 238 pounds
Wins: 4 knockouts, 8 submissions, 2 decisions
Losses: 1 knockouts, 0 submissions, 3 decisions
Fight Information:
The main event for this fight card in Dallas will feature the heavyweight rematch between Strikeforce champion Alistair Overeem and Fabricio Werdum. These two fought all the way back in May 2006 when Werdum won the fight by submission at Pride: Total Elimination Absolute.
Alistair Overeem is known as one of, if not the most accomplished top-level heavyweight MMA striker on the planet today. His crushing knockouts of Kazuyuki Fujira, Brett Rogers and Todd Duffee in straight fights have left an imprint on the MMA community as a whole.
Unfortunately, the lack of top-level competition that he has faced has led many to doubt the veteran fighter’s sudden rise to the top.
Is he really this good, or is he just a product of weak competition?
His opponent, Fabricio Werdum, defeated the previously thought to be unbeatable
Fedor Emelianenko by submission nearly a year ago to-date. That victory skyrocketed his stock as he had also defeated Antonio “Big Foot” Silva not long before that.
Werdum’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills are among the absolute best in the heavyweight division and he has been looking forward to this rematch to prove his dominance over a fighter he has insulted by calling him his “son.”
This isn’t just about the tournament. It is also very personal.
Fight Prediction:
One might assume that Werdum would be the favorite in this fight given that he won the first fight between the two, but that is not the case. But surprisingly, Overeem has been listed as a -350 favorite against a man he has never defeated and who submitted him in the past.
Of course, things have changed quite a bit since that day. Both fighters have developed their skills and each is a unanimous top-10 heavyweight today. This is by far the most anticipated first round fight of the tournament and could realistically go either way.
To quote one of the more popular catchphrases this year, I will simply tell fans, “Don’t blink” when it comes to Overeem vs. Werdum this Saturday night. You won’t want to miss it.
Alistair Overeem by knockout, Round 1