This week's marquee fight between Brock Lesnar and Alistair Overeem is intriguing for many reasons. First, how will Overeem deal with the takedown? In his last 3 fights (Werdum, Duffee and Rogers), he looked great in each except against Werdum. What was the difference? Werdum was looking for the takedown the entire fight. Overeem was not able to plant his feet and throw due to him worrying about the takedown. Werdum isn't know for his explosive takedowns but guess who is? Lesnar. What's to stop Lesnar from bullying him into the cage, wearing him out for a round and stopping a gassed Overeem in round 2?
This entire fight will be decided in the first 90 seconds. Can Lesnar get a takedown? Can Overeem land something significant before being taken down? Overeem has K-1 credentials (won in 2010) but how will that translate against a wrestler like Brock? Can Brock take a big knee or punch from a K-1 striker? Overeem is obviously a very strong guy but grappling muscles > kickboxing muscles.
The big elephant in the room is all of the distractions that Overeem has had during his training camp leading up to this fight. He had to fly back to Holland due to his ailing mother. At the same time, this caused him to miss a test for PED's (performance enhancing drugs) by the commission. He got everything squared away and was given a conditional license. At the same time, critics wonder why he was given an additional 28 days to take a test. This would give plenty of time for a person to cycle out illegal drugs in their system. PED accusations have actually followed both men but it must be acknowledged neither man has tested positive to this point. Additionally, Overeem did test negative a week ago and will be subjected to 3 random tests in the upcoming 6 months.
Drama aside, 2 great fighters + 2 guys who always look for the finish + 500 plus pounds of muscle = one helluva fight coming up on 12/30.
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