It’s official. The UFC has invested in a reinforced cage (or at least I hope they have) and made the announcement that Brock Lesnar will face off against Alistair Overeem this coming December. Two former champions who are among the largest heavyweights in the sport will meet in what will be one of the biggest fights, both literally and figuratively, this year.
When Overeem was first released from Strikeforce in August, I immediately thought it was to make way for his entry into the UFC, but I expected that the announcement wouldn’t be released until early 2012. However UFC President Dana White proved me wrong, inking the multiple champion for a fight to close out the year.
Lesnar will be returning from a second bout with diverticulitis, one that resulted in doctors removing a foot of his intestines. The former UFC champ was last seen in the cage when he was decimated by Cain Velasquez. The sickness forced him out of a bout against Junior dos Santos and many wondered if his fighting days were behind him. While much information isn’t available about the illness itself, what Lesnar was suffering from was very serious.
Lesnar should be a stout betting favorite going into the event. However, I think that Overeem will have the advantage in many different places that will dictate how this fight unfolds.
On the feet it’s highly likely that Overeem will be able to score and pepper Lesnar with shots. His kickboxing background will greatly outweigh the striking inexperience of Lesnar, who will have a great advantage in the wrestling game. With that being said, Overeem should have the ability to stop Brock’s first takedown attempts. At that point we have to wonder how Lesnar’s gas tank will hold up, especially after being off for such an extended period of time. When he faced Velasquez, he started the fight like he had been shot out of a cannon, only to quickly fade once the punches started landing.
I’m interested in seeing how this bout plays out because so much is riding on the outcome. Overeem has openly stated that the UFC has the top guys, and for him to be considered a top heavyweight, he must compete in the Octagon. Now that chance has arrived. For Lesnar, one has to wonder how his health battles will affect his fighting career, and if his heart is really in it. This fight is going to answer a lot of questions about the future of the UFC heavyweight division, and I, for one, am looking forward to the outcome.
