Brett Rogers vs Alistair Overeem possible for August 15 Strikeforce event in San Jose, California
by Brian Oswald on Jun 7, 2009 3:53 PM EDT
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Strikeforce Executive Mike Afromowitz confirmed to MMAmania.com yesterday that surging heavyweight sensation Brett Rogers will likely meet current Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem in a title fight on the upcoming August 15 event in San Jose, California.
"It's definitely a possibility," Afromowitz said after Saturday's press conference. "I know Brett said he is ready. We will see how he is feeling next week and go from there. Overeem is locked in for the August 15 fight card."
"The Grimm" is coming off a devastating knockout win over former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski at the June 6 'Lawler vs. Shields' event from the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
Rogers was a +300 underdog heading into the fight but needed just 0:22 seconds to put "The Pitbull" to sleep -- the second time for Arlovski in as many fights.
At the post fight press conference, Rogers spoke out about his future within the promotion. "I was kind of aiming for (Overeem)…I was expecting the title today so he is still in my sights."
Rogers, now 10-0, looks poised to capitalize on his new found stature. "This sport is all about timing," he said. "This fight took me to the next level and now is definitely my time. Everyone saw tonight that I am not one to play with."
A potential title fight against "Demolition Man" could end up playing second fiddle to the long-anticipated "Carano vs. Cyborg" superfight. Also on the August 15 fight card, Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh "The Punk" Thomson and interim champion Gilbert "El Nino" Melendez will finally rematch to unify the 155-pound strap.
Keep it dialed in to MMAmania.com for more information on the August 15 event as it unfolds.
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That would be a cool fight.
Rogers will be exposed in his next fight. This dude is not the real deal, folks.
by Jeremyjackson on Jun 7, 2009 3:57 PM EDT reply actions
Of course, he hasn’t put the time in. Power doesnt mean good striker much less good MMA fighter. Even in the 22s, look at his footwork when he waded in on AA. Still though i like grim and hopefully he keeps improving.
by NameNotRequired on Jun 7, 2009 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Lets not be quick to write him off just yet. I also noticed poor footwork but that kind of power can mask some of his holes. He may not be a polished striker, but he has a SERIOUS Clinch game.
There are still more questions than answers, like his ground game…but I think this is the right move for an improving organization like strikeforce. Yes Werdum/Overeem would be more of a legit title fight, but Strikeforce needs to capitalize on Grim’s momentum and throw him into a title fight NOW, because I believe he is marketable….before he gets upset and we find out he wasnt the real deal.
Jury is still out on Grim. Im not ready to judge him.
by john on Jun 7, 2009 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions
The shots he caught AA with weren’t exactly crisp and sharp. He was a little faster than I thought, but I can’t believe how bad AA’s defence and chin looked last night.
by Jerermyjackson on Jun 7, 2009 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions
this ain’t K-1, If Rogers closes the distance like he needs to and gets in on Overeem like he’s done in everyone of his fights then it’s a big chance that it might be over for Overeem! Rogers makes it like a streetfight in the standup and with these small gloves it’s hard to defend a beast like Rogers coming at you.. Rogers wouldn’t have a chance in hell if he stays on the outside and tries to trade techniques with Overeem ..
by RoB on Jun 7, 2009 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions
What i mean is of course that footwork and clean punches and all those small technical details is not as important in Heavyweight MMA as it is in real boxing/kickboxing, when you’re wearing those small gloves and is a guy like Brett Rogers at 6’4 and absolutely HUGE it doesn’t have to be technical, him fighting nasty and ugly works, and he’s throwing punches in bunches not just one powerpunch at a time!
I also like the smartness and timing he had against AA, just rushing him in the first 30 seconds of the fight is real smart against an opponent that was KO’d in his previous fight…
Jon Jones is a perfect example of how far you can come in MMA striking with good timing and creativity..
by RoB on Jun 8, 2009 1:03 AM EDT up reply actions
How many people made 3 times thier money betting on Grimm and against Arlovski’s feable chin???
I DID.
But I lost by bet on Lawler, but made it back last night with Mike Brown.
Grimm was feinting perfectly than straight up bum rushed Arlovski like it was a dark alley. After that first clean shot, AA was pretty much out on his feet and Grimm had free pickens on 3 more power punches.
AA NEEDS to go to boxing, or create a new sport where you where giant pillows over your hands. Because at this point, a Nick Diaz jab to the chin would KO AA
by ViolentMike on Jun 8, 2009 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions
haha, he can’t even go to boxing. His defense is awful. In boxing he can’t even take someone down to avoid getting hit. He can’t fight backing up and has piss poor head movement. Roach should stop wasting his time.
by Crowls on Jun 8, 2009 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions
allistair is taking this one for sure. expect a heavy ko. people question his chin but its just due to the fact he gasses and leaves himself wide open for big shots. at hw he hasnt been gassing becasue of the natural weight factor and the results have been showing.
by Jared on Jun 7, 2009 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree… of course I said AA would take it too, so what do I know?
by ---Caesar--- on Jun 7, 2009 9:54 PM EDT up reply actions
how are u gonna say he isn’t the real deal?? He’s only had 10 fights and has yet to lose or even go the distance. He just beat one of the consensus best HW’s in the world. Or is AA a can now?? Clearly there is questions about his overall game but until the guy loses you gotta give him his due. He just started training full time and he’s going about things the right way. This kid is gonna continue to improve. Even if he doesn’t win the Overeem fight expect him to be around for quite awhile.
by Crowls on Jun 7, 2009 11:48 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree 100%, but when fighter who is worshipped by so many gets taken out like that, you have to expect the negative comments. Rashad got a double dose from the Chuck and Forrest fans.
by Ade on Jun 8, 2009 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Hes pretty good i was far from expecting that kinda speed out of him im sure AA was not expecting it either. Rogers is a full time fighter now expect huge leaps and bounds in progression. Overeem should still cream him but again ill give him a punchers chance and a lil more.
by Khaos_Warrior on Jun 7, 2009 4:25 PM EDT reply actions
AA should have creamed him too. He was a -500 favorite. After that performance, no way Overeem is -500 or higher. However, I see Overeem as a more diverse stiker than AA, BUT he often times figts off his emotions which could get him in trouble with Grimm.
Everyone else that KO’d Arlovski got respect. Its now time to begin respecting Grimm. I have been following him since he first signed with EliteXC and watched all of his fights since.
by ViolentMike on Jun 8, 2009 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions
LOL thats going a little too far. have you seen allistar fight??? The man is a beast and very skilled on the ground!
I think he will employ the same strategy he used against mark hunt, takedown to submission.
by ItsNormlToSmokePot on Jun 7, 2009 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Overeem by whatever he wants – KO, submission or if he plays it safe, UD. I don’t what is up with AA at the moment but he needs his head screwing back on; he just back-peddled when Rogers was trying to bum-rush him like a hobo whilst keeping his head stationary. If Rogers waded in on Chuck like that it would have been Rogers on the mat – a face-first KO. It’s a shame that one of the best fighters in MMA is let down by one glaring weakness – his ability to take a punch/chin.
Rogers may indeed become a force in the future, but I can’t see him finishing any other top 10 HW anytime soon…
by jayshogun on Jun 7, 2009 4:56 PM EDT reply actions
“If Rogers waded in on Chuck like that it would have been Rogers on the mat – a face-first KO.” Perhaps like 3 years ago, but right now, all Grimm needs to do is run toward Chuck and the breeze would KO him. A glancing blow from a 263 lb power punching HW would KO CHuck instanly. I clean, power shot from Rogers to Chuck and Chuck’s career, and possibly his well being would be done with.
NEWSFLASH: The Chuck Liddell bandwagon came off track, fell down a mountain and exploded when it hit the ground. Randy has way more game left in him than Chuck does right now.
by ViolentMike on Jun 8, 2009 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions
Oh yeah, ‘cos losing to Rampage and Shogun decisively (and Jardine narrowly) means you are done as a fighter. Stop posting mate, seriously. Chuck isn’t the fighter he once was and I actually have always rooted AGAINST him, but power is the last thing to go. The manner in which Rogers bum-rushed AA would have been perfect for a Chuck Liddell counterstrike, which in the very least would have floored Rogers. I am still of the opinion that Chuck could beat any non-top 5 LHW in the UFC, which is nothing to be ashamed of.
by jayshogun on Jun 8, 2009 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Rogers will tap due to a submission .. i dont think rogers trains with any ground guys . Hopefully the people who think rogers is the next best thing will relize hes got alot of work to do.
by WutangSwordsman on Jun 7, 2009 5:39 PM EDT reply actions
Rogers had solid wrestling skills. His fights have been so quick we really havent gotten to see his whole skill set, and how he trains full time
by ViolentMike on Jun 8, 2009 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions
Without a glasschin to break, Rogers will lose, quickly.
by Green Inferno on Jun 7, 2009 5:50 PM EDT reply actions
I’d say most people had AA in the top 5 HWs in the world. You all talked shit on Rogers and how AA had this fight easily and were proved wrong. I think most people need to start giving Rogers some credit. I’m not saying he’ll walk through Overeem the same way, but i don’t understand how you can’t give this man his due.
by CJ on Jun 7, 2009 5:57 PM EDT reply actions
agreed, this stuff blows my mind. Overeem will be a tough fight and should probly beat Rogers, but I have not seen many guys with the determination that Rogers has. This guy is all business and so far he is knocking guys out bad. I hope he’s a huge underdog again with Overeem. I didn’t have the balls to bet on him this time and make some coin but if he’s got those type of odds again I won’t pass it up.
by Crowls on Jun 8, 2009 12:32 AM EDT up reply actions
Any time AA fights a fighter that can punch his way out of a wet paper bag, bet AGAINST AA’s chin.
by ViolentMike on Jun 8, 2009 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions
How many people gave Rogers a shot against AA? He’ll always have a punchers chance.
by BeerMan on Jun 7, 2009 6:05 PM EDT reply actions
Well said and he’s only going to get better.
by massiveamounts on Jun 7, 2009 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Actually, quite a few people not only gave Rogers a chance, but even picked him to win. The day the fight was announced, a picked Grimm and when the odds came out, I bet on him. Also, Jesse picked Grimm in his predictions, and if you go to that thread, you will be shocked at how many knowledgeable fans had Grimm winning the fight.
Its the UFC mainstream fans that still think AA is invincible. The same people that never heard of Fedor until he left AA sleeping. The UFC is NOT the end all, be all of MMA. By the way, did you know that there are MANY Top 10 fighters that fight in Japan???
by ViolentMike on Jun 8, 2009 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions
Man strikeforce aint messing around.They are putting together some real solid cards. I really hope they make it big and get up to UFC level so fighters start making better money with more competition
by boysdesi on Jun 7, 2009 6:27 PM EDT reply actions
OK, so Rogers>Arlovski and Fedor>Arlovski, so does that mean that Rogers could be a competitive challenge the “best in the world”?
I’m not a Fedor basher, but I’d like to see him in the UFC and see him against top tier talent. I’m not disrespecting Rogers either, but I think that he wouldn’t be a top UFC heavyweight. I’d be happy to be proven wrong just to see the fight.
Thoughts?
by BobC on Jun 7, 2009 6:30 PM EDT reply actions
I concur with Khaos_Warrior. Rogers and Fedor should not be mentioned in the same sentance, unless it’s to make apparent to someone that “Rogers and Fedor should not be mentioned in the same sentance”.
by jayshogun on Jun 7, 2009 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions
yup, i get Bob’s point but Rogers has no business fighting Fedor any time soon. Unfortunately with the lack of depth at HW(in the world but especially outside the UFC) I could see him being fed to Fedor if he beats Overeem(assuming Fedor beats Barnett}. That would be a shame because that would likely be around the end of the year and Rogers is not ready for that kind of challenge. He is a dangerous man but his ground game cannot be anywhere near where it would need to be to even give Fedor a fight. The guy just started training full time.
by Crowls on Jun 8, 2009 12:45 AM EDT up reply actions
what a lastname — AFROmowitz.
Alistair Is HUGE. I read that he eats horse meat cause its super high in protien. I aslo Heard a rumor( which i dont belive ) that he took some kind of steroids ( he did get huge really fast ) .
Does anyone know if he has fought in north america since Bulking up to the beast he is today And do they test for stuff in Japan?
by WutangSwordsman on Jun 7, 2009 7:14 PM EDT reply actions
No testing in Japan. Can’t say where Overeem has fought.
by PW on Jun 7, 2009 8:21 PM EDT up reply actions
When Overeem beat Buentello for the title in 2007 he weighed in at 224lbs but looked big (compared to Buentello), but nowhere near as big as he is now. That was the last time he fought in the US.
by Belisarius on Jun 7, 2009 10:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Overeem can win this fight any way he wants. he can outstrike,ground an pound, or submit rogers. Probably all in the first round. anybody agree?
by ch chuuuuck on Jun 7, 2009 7:25 PM EDT reply actions
I agree the favourite is Overeem but Rodgers is just as tough and I would say a bit stronger than Overeem. I believe he would last at least a round before he tired out and his strength was less of a factor but he does have KO power that can end anyones night and let’s not forget Overeem has been KO by Sergie and a much smaller Rua.
by Beaver on Jun 7, 2009 8:52 PM EDT up reply actions
A sloppy flabby brawler type versus a complete monster and linear K-1 OWGP champ?
Gimme a break. It’ll be hilarious, at least.
by Speedy on Jun 8, 2009 6:19 PM EDT reply actions
i think rogers will win against overeem even though i hate the guy. i think brett would beat overheem because they said overheem loves 2 trade punches and brett should be a better punch trader then overheem.i think rogers would lose 2 werdum though because werdum loves 2 submit and thats rogers biggest weakness.1 person that i know rogers would lose 2 is brock lesnar.brock is bigger stronger and better. brock would take brett down at the start of the fight and win by TKO on the ground.i even think brock would beat brett standing up the whole fight.
by BOBBY on Jun 8, 2009 10:13 PM EDT reply actions
it’s hard to imagine overeem losing but rogers has amazing power. overeem should have a better rounded game and just needs to make sure it’s not a slugfest
by russiandoeboi on Jul 2, 2009 11:03 PM EDT reply actions
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