Alistair Overeem vs Fabricio Werdum booked for August 15 Strikeforce event
by Jesse Holland on Jul 6, 2009 12:13 PM EDT
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Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion Alistair Overeem will return to the San Jose-based promotion after nearly two years of fighting overseas to defend his belt against former PRIDE and UFC heavyweight standout Fabricio Werdum at the "Carano vs. Cyborg" event from the HP Pavilion on August 15.
MMAmania.com confirmed the bout with Strikeforce officials earlier today.
Overeem captured the heavyweight title with a second round submission win over Paul Buentello back in 2007 after repeated knees to the body forced "The Headhunter" to call it quits. "Demolition Man" has since been employed in Japan, racking up a 3-0 record in MMA (1 NC) and a 1-1 record under the K-1 banner during that span.
His most recent mixed martial arts action was against 43-year old accomplished kickboxer and UFC veteran Gary Goodridge at a Glory MMA show in front of his own countrymen in Arnhem, Netherlands last November. Overeem won that bout via first round submission in yet another dominating performance.
Just how far Overeem has improved since his PRIDE days could ultimately be decided when he rematches Werdum on August 15. "Vai Cavalo" holds a second round submission win over the hulk from Holland when they tangled at PRIDE: "Total Elimination Absolute" in May 2006.
The Brazilian had gone 2-2 after joining the UFC in April 2007. After losing a cautious slapfest against Andrei Arlovski at UFC 70, Werdum put together two straight TKO victories over Gabriel Gonzaga and Brandon Vera, only to get bounced from the promotion when he was upset (and uppercut) by out-of-the-blue bruiser Junior Dos Santos.
Now each man has a chance to erase some bad memories this August in what is sure to be an entertaining war between two very talented heavyweights.
Strikeforce: "Carano vs. Cyborg" will feature a 145-pound title fight between female fighting sensation Gina "Conviction" Carano and her nemesis Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos as well as a lightweight title unification bout between reigning champ Josh "The Punk" Thomson and interim champ Gilbert "El Nino" Melendez.
For all the latest on this still-developing fight card click here.
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this is stupid ……strikeforce needs to learns to give their title shots for people that accually will fight for them often….none of the overeem / cung lee stuff, its rediculous……and for defending overeems title for the first time in 2 years and u pic ferbricio verduum…..wooooow
by JG on Jul 6, 2009 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Rogers is not way near as marketable as these two guys – I like him, but when he speaks he sounds like he has been hit in the head to many times.
by DownUnder on Jul 6, 2009 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions
lol, I’ve met Rogers a few times and he was very soft spoken and easy to talk to. Does werdum even speak english? If not, how is he marketable? Maybe by saying he doesn’t train seriously (all the time) and that he has a weak stand up game!
by kevin on Jul 6, 2009 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Werdum is not marketable, and he was just knocked out!..
I think they do it mostly because he holds a win over Overeem and maybe just maybe because Werdum is a former UFC fighter and they think that he is a more marketable opponent than Rogers because of that..
by RoB on Jul 6, 2009 8:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Good for Werdum for getting that paper. If overeem allows him to body clinch in him, it’s over. He’s gettin subbed. This sucks for the grim though. Maybe they’re trying to give overeem more exposure for a big fight with Rogers coz most of their big stars have been put on the carano cyborg card meaning the rest of the year, their main events are gonna suck.
by NameNotRequired on Jul 6, 2009 11:30 PM EDT up reply actions
I dont know what you guys are complaining about. Werdum vs. Overeem is the most legit title fight that Strikeforce has to offer. This site is for hardcore fans, and Hardcore fans IMO shouldnt be worrying about who is more marketable. We should be concerned with seeing the best match ups possible, and in my eyes, thats werdum vs. Overeem.
Grim only has one big win under his belt. I think Werdum’s overall body of work and ranking makes him a more legit contender.
I am a big alistar Overeem fan, but assuming he learned his lesson about coming into fights out of shape…I think Werdum is goin to be the next strikeforce Heavyweight champion.
Very curious to see what the odds for this match up will be.
by john G on Jul 7, 2009 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions
i agree, which is why it is not the main event. interesting that neither championship fight is the main event. either way, this cards is getting good but werdum is a joke.
by bradpittfightclub on Jul 6, 2009 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions
“neither?” The womans fight is a championship fight too! unfortunately!
by kevin on Jul 6, 2009 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions
A 145 lbs female division belt?? And who’s the current #1 contender here?? Not much of a future there imo..
by O damn he got caught on Jul 6, 2009 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions
haha…exactly buddy…Carano/Cyborg II, III, IV, V, ect
by McArthur on Jul 6, 2009 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions
First Erin Toughill, then maybe sarah. Also Kaufman is 135 but i bet coker slimes it up and gets her to do a catchweight by baiting her with a couple hundred more bucks. They should really sign more girls around 140 like Kaitlin young.
by NameNotRequired on Jul 6, 2009 11:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Werdum is no joke! People have written him off since he got KTFO against Santos. If he shows up in shape this should be a killer bout!
by stevo on Jul 6, 2009 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions
No doubt. Womens’ mma?? What a joke, they should be getting us beers and cooking us hot wings………….jk :-)
by Dragon on Jul 6, 2009 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions
or blowing us!
I enjoy cooking, so I don’t care about that!
by kevin on Jul 6, 2009 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions
jeez…if Sara ever found out what I said on here you’d never see me again
by McArthur on Jul 6, 2009 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions
my wife said she comes and reads this every once in a while, so I try to watch what I say! She basically said we are a bunch of losers! lol
by kevin on Jul 6, 2009 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions
sounds like my house “ARE YOU ON THERE AGAIN!!”…lol
by McArthur on Jul 6, 2009 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions
lol, I get the same thing. she’ll be in the shower, I’ll pop on and pop off when she gets out…she’s like “is it that important to you?” She’s even more pissed that she wasn’t invited to 101. She saw a post one time on a sat (bellatar 1) and I wrote “glad my wife is working, this card is great.” She didn’t get that I wasn’t happy she was working for any reason other than I got to watch it live!
by kevin on Jul 6, 2009 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions
NO DOUBT! My wife is a big UFC fan, and I am grateful for that but, every time she sees me on my laptop she sighs, then makes a comment about having a bunch of nerdy litle computer friends that all wear TapouT shirts.
I keep my email screen handy to give the “just checking my email” line. She’s not buying it.
by Jrandolph on Jul 6, 2009 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions
sounds like your wives are bitches. my girl sees me here and just asks, ’what’s new?’
by theCloser on Jul 6, 2009 7:31 PM EDT up reply actions
you’re a moron! My wife trained under caesar gracie for years and is a huge mma fan. Sorry she’d rather watch it than come on an mma site. Thats the “loser” part. She could care less about rumors and interviews…sounds like your girl must not be good looking enough to find another guy to fuck her, so she acts interested in what you’re doing. I think most “normal” guys on this site would agree we’re all kinda lame (in a funny way) for being on here all the time!
by kevin on Jul 6, 2009 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions
by the way, no one said they were being bitchy, just making fun of us for checking an mma site on a regular basis…not like we’re checking stocks!
by kevin on Jul 6, 2009 7:37 PM EDT up reply actions
“sounds like your girl must not be good looking enough to find another guy to fuck her, so she acts interested in what you’re doing”
What . . . the . . . F-CK? Talk about a wild claim. Bit too harsh there. Although theCloser did call your hos bitches.
by Kobajack on Jul 6, 2009 9:39 PM EDT up reply actions
“My wife trained under caesar gracie for years” the guy uses his wife as a backup. lol
by LLC on Jul 7, 2009 12:08 AM EDT up reply actions
Haha. I don’t know if he was using her for “backup”, but I do have to admit that I have seen Kevin say this before. I am a bit curious as to who Kevin trains with?
by naturalshadow on Jul 7, 2009 2:50 AM EDT up reply actions
sounds bitchy to me Kevin. And my girl is very good looking. How does her not caring if I’m on a MMA site make her ugly? And who gives a fuck if yours trains with a Gracie? I do understand yours though, ugly or not, she must get as pissed as I do that you leave so many shitty posts that have nothing to do with the blog. You just click reply to the first post without reading it, because you are a pathetic attention whore who wants his comment to be first. Next time you keep running your mouth about your stupid live event tickets, I will contact you to get one so I can go finally knock you the hell out. Or choke you out and see if your girl thinks Gracie would approve.
by theCloser on Jul 7, 2009 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions
TOTAL BS!!! Brett Rogers should be the man fighting for the belt!!! Werdum has no stand up and after being demolished by Dos Santos, I can see this fight going the same way.
by PACO on Jul 6, 2009 12:18 PM EDT reply actions
Rogers will get his shot…all in good time.
by introvert on Jul 6, 2009 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Hey Intro, its funny how your so cool with this saying “in good time” Rogers KO’s AA in seconds, Werdum GOT KO’d in seconds. But because its out of the UFC you have nothing negative to say huh!
by JV on Jul 6, 2009 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s because the UFC throws guys with 1-1 records into title fights……..stupid.
by introvert on Jul 6, 2009 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree with that intro. I’m wondering where Lesner goes after he loses to Mir twice. R they gonna just feed him stand up guys? his stand up is weak and that will be exposed next!
by kevin on Jul 6, 2009 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Lesnar may not have a particularly refined stand-up game, but Murr will NOT be the one to expose it.
by PW on Jul 6, 2009 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t really care if Mir ko’s lesner or subs him, I will just be happy once Mir wins the belt for all the “true” martial artists.
by Dragon on Jul 6, 2009 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions
I disagree PW, as long as he sees Lesner’s right coming, he’ll be able to pick him apart! Once it hit the ground, all Lesner has is hammer fists. I’m not a Lesner fan, but lets look at it objectively! He couldn’t finish a broken Herring, and Randy was controlling him until he got caught. Randy saw the punch coming, avoided it and got clipped in the back of the head. Lesner hasn’t really impressed me all that much!
by kevin on Jul 6, 2009 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Who has Murr ever “picked apart?” And don’t give me Nog. Anyone who fights instead of checking himself into a hospital with a staph infection does not count as a real win. Lesnar is going to shove Murr up against the cage and work him over until Murr quits.
by PW on Jul 6, 2009 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t remember saying he’s picked anyone apart. I just don’t think Brock has anything but wrestling and hammer fists!
by kevin on Jul 6, 2009 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions
agreed kevin, i think mir is going to take another limb home with him after ufc 100
by bullsh*t on Jul 6, 2009 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions
mir wont do anything on the feet he will get taken down in 10 seconds again and go home with a submission again
by JG on Jul 6, 2009 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Now you’re just talking crazy. What in the blue hell makes you think Murr is capable of taking down the best wrestler in the HW division and possibly in all of the UFC?
by PW on Jul 6, 2009 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh. That makes more sense. I still don’t think that happens either. I think Lesnar keeps it standing and bludgeones Murr from one side of the cage to the other.
by PW on Jul 6, 2009 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed, I think this is a bad fight for Werdum to come back to after getting demolished in the 1st rd by a relative unknown. You never know though; could have been the wake up call he needed to get his head on straight. Still taking Overeem by TKO/KO rd 2. I think Rogers vs Overeem would have been a more entertaining fight though; IMO Overeem owns Rogers, all day every day, but the man deserves what he’s due; so you’re right in that he should at least get a shot at the title.
by O damn he got caught on Jul 6, 2009 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions
If Werdum takes it to the ground he can tap him easy.
by Bill Maher on Jul 6, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions
i agree if it hits the mat werdum will win, people write him off because he did not take the fight with dos santos seriously and got caught but he is better than that.
by roy on Jul 6, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Sweet….Strikeforce is a major player.
Awesome card.
by introvert on Jul 6, 2009 12:18 PM EDT reply actions
this is indeed a awesome card. just wish the headliner was something more appropiate, its like having Lesnar/Mir over Alves/GSP. =\
by eightyproof on Jul 6, 2009 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions
No love for Brett Rogers…disappointing. Seems like a ratings move. Brett was more deserving after he beat Arlovski.
by DCRage on Jul 6, 2009 12:19 PM EDT reply actions
I would think that an American KO artist like Rodgers would do substantially better in the ratings than a semi-unknown Brazilian BJJ guy. There must be another reason, maybe giving Overeem some sort of tune-up since he hasn’t fought in the U.S. in a few years.
by PW on Jul 6, 2009 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Umm, exactly how many former UFC champions has Kimbo beat?
by Pat on Jul 6, 2009 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Seth Petruzelli was almost a TUF champion. That’s kind of like a UFC champ right? Oh wait, Kimbo didn’t beat him.
by PW on Jul 6, 2009 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions
LOL, yeah kimbo has beaten guys at AA’s caliber. you know, Tank and thompson are quality opponents! That has to be the single dumbest comment I’ve ever heard. Kimbo NEVER even KO’d anyone on you tube, never mind anyone in the top 100 in the HW division!
by kevin on Jul 6, 2009 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Im surprised they didnt ask Brett Rogers. Surely hes done enough to have the next shot in Strikerforce.
This is Werdum’s debut in Strikeforce, and is coming off a loss. Doesnt quite seem right. Especially when Rogers I think would be better business sense too.
by UK_Chris on Jul 6, 2009 12:22 PM EDT reply actions
I agree with this bout. No reason to rush Rogers and kill his momentum when they can milk his Arlovski win leading into a title fight against the winner of this match.
Sometimes you have to slow play your hand, I think this is the right move.
by Jesse Holland on Jul 6, 2009 12:25 PM EDT reply actions
yep…it’ll be a long lay off though if they have him wait
by McArthur on Jul 6, 2009 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Thats the only thing that bothers me, it’s been 2 years since Overeem fought in SF; how much longer after this fight? Of course it could go the other way and Werdum could take the belt; but I just don’t see that happening.
by O damn he got caught on Jul 6, 2009 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Well I guess that 2 years really isn’t all Overeems fault, Strikeforce as an organization had quite a bit of dead time in between Frank Shamrock vs Cung Le and their next show.
by O damn he got caught on Jul 6, 2009 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions
NM, I had to look up strikeforce events and I’m wrong on that one; maybe the 2 years without defending the title was all Overeem…
by O damn he got caught on Jul 6, 2009 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Overeem requires time between shows in the US to cycle on/off the roids.
by stevo on Jul 6, 2009 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions
This will be a good test for Overreem depending on which Werdum turns up, the Werdum who is dominant on the ground and has submitted quality HWs or the fat cautious slapper, this will either be really close or a dominant win for Overreem.
I feel sorry for Rogers, this is the second time he has missed out on a HW title fight, after destroying AA I thought that he was the top contender, he better get the next shot at the belt.
by David on Jul 6, 2009 12:40 PM EDT reply actions
Can anyone see Rogers vs Yvel?
That could be interesting.
by Big Zino on Jul 6, 2009 1:09 PM EDT reply actions
Trading with Yvel is like playing russian roulette.
by O damn he got caught on Jul 6, 2009 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions
I suppose Gilbert needs to beat Buentello first which is easier said then done… but still
I’d like Grim to fight the Hurricane before Brett gets to the HW Champ.
by Big Zino on Jul 6, 2009 1:11 PM EDT reply actions
So who does Rogers face next is my question? Or does he just sit on the shelf to face the winner of this fight around December? Maybe Yvel? I think that would be a good fight, it would for sure end up in a KO one way or the other, and I think Gilbert can fight under the Strikeforce banner…but anyone feel free to correct me if I am wrong.
by efisher on Jul 6, 2009 1:12 PM EDT reply actions
It’s not a bad match up but I’d have to give it Yvel via KO; that guy is a wrecking machine in a striking match. Not that Rogers doesn’t have KO power or the ability to put Yvel away either, I think Gilbert is just too damn powerful with his stand up.
by O damn he got caught on Jul 6, 2009 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions
I like it…I like it a lot…waaayyy too long for Rogers to wait imo…despite the fact that Werdum shouldn’t be getting a shot, Werdum/Overeem for the title followed by the winner of Yvel/Rogers…perfect.
by McArthur on Jul 6, 2009 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Rogers is garbage.
Overeem would take him out faster than he took out AA.
Werdum will put up much more of a fight against Overeem than Rogers would.
by Lester The Pimp on Jul 6, 2009 1:43 PM EDT reply actions
If Werdum lasts longer than Rogers would it’s only because Werdum reverted to his AA “strategy” of flopping onto his back to waste time/try to draw Overeem into a ground fight.
by PW on Jul 6, 2009 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions
formally known in 2009 as the “Leites Strategy”
by McArthur on Jul 6, 2009 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Wow
I wouldn’t underestimate werdum just yet
He got koed by dos santos who just took out another guy, we never know dos santos might be best puncher?
Anyways werdum made it through arlovski and finished gonzaga, also vera (arguably)
Goes to ground no doubt who has better jitz, I’m not a werdum fan but
I wouldn’t be shocked if overeem catches him
I got werdum by submission 2nd
by phenomenal angel on Jul 6, 2009 2:46 PM EDT reply actions
yea I kno he made it through fight tho, he didn’t get stopped.
by phenomenal angel on Jul 6, 2009 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions
And he slapped AA. That has to count for something.
by PW on Jul 6, 2009 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Overeem is gonna tap in this fight – mark my words. No way Werdum loses to Overeem…
by jayshogun on Jul 6, 2009 3:37 PM EDT reply actions
overeem is crap. hes juiced up out of his mind which is why he never fights in the us. its all artificial. hes garbage
by matt on Jul 6, 2009 5:15 PM EDT reply actions
What a JOKE?
You guys don’t even mention Rogers getting skipped in the article.
Werdum is going to crush Overeem, BJJ all day
by WTF on Jul 6, 2009 6:09 PM EDT reply actions
Grim would beat either of these guys.
lol.
I think they’re fighting to get a shot at him.
haha.
by Madnuts on Jul 6, 2009 6:24 PM EDT reply actions
Great matchup fucken Strikeforce is putting on some SICK AZZ CARDS NOW!
by Khaos_Warrior on Jul 6, 2009 7:32 PM EDT reply actions
should have been Rogers. not Werdum. Rogers just beat the snot out of AA. AA beat Werdum. I aint trying to use mma math but cmon. I dont think werdum has really beaten anyone that matters. anyways hope rogers gets his shot!
OT- I’d love to see fedor vs Overeem after this though.
by big_evil on Jul 6, 2009 7:43 PM EDT reply actions
Should have been Rogers, but I like Werdum vs. Overeem a lot more, it think it will be a good fight and provide the chance for Overeem to exact some revenge against Werdum when he lost via Kimura at Pride Total Elimination Absolute 2006 (awesome name for an event).
by Belisarius on Jul 6, 2009 9:49 PM EDT reply actions
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