St. Louis, MO– It was a long time coming, in fact to be approximate three years in which StrikeForce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem made not only a return to the states but defended his heavyweight title. It was to be a marker on a path that could lead to the only viable heavyweight match up fans have been clamoring for, one with Russian enigma Fedor Emelianenko. What Fedor did in two, Overeem achieved in one with a dominate 1st round TKO victory at 3:40 seconds over the overwhelmed Brett Rogers. In recent interviews Rogers had promised he would come out agressive and swinging citing the latter as his personal reason as to why he lost his fight with Fedor. When it comes down to it everyone has a game plan and then you get hit and everything changes. With the opening bell at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, MO Overeem canceled out whatever plans Rogers had in store for him that night. The champion opened up with big leg kicks, the result of overseas battles in K-1 against the likes of Badr Hari. Rogers immediately went on the defensive and did something he had not shown in his career up to this point; He became cautious. He would soon be thrown onto the mat by Overeem in a display of hulk like strength that will certainly put the trolls of the internet forums in a frenzy as definite proof of recent accusations that Overeem has taken PED’s.
Overeem made use of his size and pinned Rogers against the cage and kept him there. For his part, Rogers displayed a good bit of defense but would occasionally eat a shot. He would eventually be smothered by the champion as a pair of ground and pound hooks forced him to turtle up and eventually led to the end of the bout. Overeem landed 68% of his strikes in what was a dominating performance in nearly a almost three year absence from the American mma scene. “It’s been a while, but I’m back,” Overeem said. “I’m the champion of Strikeforce, and I ain’t going nowhere. I’m here to stay. I was in the best shape of my life, and I think this fight proved it.” With a successful defense all eyes now turn to a potential heavyweight superfight against Emelianenko, “I think now its Fedor time [to fight me],” said Overeem.
Bigfoot upsets Arlovski
Antonio Silva, the once former sports oddity displayed impressive boxing acumen in a career changing performance as he bested mma star and former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei “The Pitbull” Arlovski. The native Brazilian was given the judges nods on all three scorecards (29-28) and surprised many by out boxing the boxer in Arlovski. For all three rounds Silva landed the better and more meaningful shots, using his reach to counter and sitting on his shots popping Arlovski frequently. Every time Arlovski was hit anticipation would grow as memories of flash KO losses to Emelianenko and Rogers had just about everyone expecting him to suddenly fall face first to the mat. Arlovski either had a titanium plate transplanted in his chin or Silva has pillows for hands. Silva’s size also played a factor as the better part of the last round was spent in the clinch and on the ground, with you guessed it, Antonio Silva controlling the action. “Pezao” now moves on with a record of 14-2 rising his stock in Strikeforce’s heavyweight division, meanwhile Arlovski moves onto his third straight defeat in a row, struggling to find his form that once made him once of the sports most feared fighters.
The Alligator snaps up another victory
They say you get better with every fight win or lose. Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza is getting better with every fight and showed he is more than just a fighter that relies solely on Brazilian Jui-Jitsu as so many of his fellow Brazilian fighters do. Jacare took on the scrappy Joey Villasenor, a fighter known for his boxing technique and showed that he himself has the skills to be in there with great technical strikers. It was his use of improved boxing and takedowns that eventually led him to win via majority decision (30-27,29-28,29-28). The constant use of aggressive strikes and multiple takedowns did take their toll on the Brazilian as he began to fade late in round two with it fully showing in round three. Villasenor came screaming back into the fight, now able to land shots on a tired Jacare. He continued to do so and after being taken down at will the entire fight was now stuffing every takedown attempt his opponent had for him. Growing in confidence, Villasenor telegraphed a sloppy takedown attempt from Jacare and answered with a hard knee that echoed to everyone cage side. The chin of the Jacare lived up to the steel like skin of his moniker as he ate the strike and snapped up Villasenor’s legs for the takedown. It pretty much wrapped up the fight for Jacare, who stalled until the final bell sounded. Much credit needs to be given to Villasenor who found himself on his back many times in the fight but was able to get sweeps and escapes on a multiple time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu champion. Jacare now improves to a record of 12-2.
Gracie makes successful StrikeForce debut
Roger Gracie made a successful American and StrikeForce debut over mma pioneer and legend Kevin Randleman. Gracie bested the former champion wrestler in the second round via rear naked choke (4:10). The young Gracie showed strengths in areas traditionally not friendly to recent Grace fighters. I speak of striking, conditioning and wrestling. It seems to be the case lately when you match a Gracie with an opponent who is average in all three areas that it usually doesn’t work out for them. I need not say more than mention Renzo and Rolles and their performances against opponents that fall into this category. The latest Gracie to step into the mma cage did his part to solidify he is a talent that should not be overlooked. In round one he patiently threw strikes that were crisp and technical, not the sloppy barrage of flailing arms that Renzo and Rolles displayed months ago. Later in round two he landed a huge knee that sent Randleman to the ground. He immediately took the mount position and attempted an arm bar. The veteran Randleman fought it off but in so doing allowed Gracie to lock in body hooks and gain his back. Randleman valiantly fought off attempts of a rear naked choke, but was finally caught as Gracie choked him out for the win.
Undercard Results:
Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante def. Antwain Britt via KO in R1 (3:45)
Jesse Finney def. Justin DeMoney via guillotine choke in R1 (3:22)
Lyle Beerbohm def. Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)
Darryl Cobb def. Booker DeRousse via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Mike Chandler def. Sal Woods via rear-naked choke in R1 (0:59)
Fransisco “Kiko” France def. Lee Brousseau via rear-naked choke in R1 (1:27)
Tom Aaron def. Erik Steenberg via guillotine choke in R1 (0:56)
Matt Ricehouse def. Greg Wilson via rear-naked choke in R3 (0:45)
