Overeem to Defend Strikeforce Title May 15
Brian Knapp Mar 28, 2010
Alistair
Overeem, after much internal debate within the promotion, will
defend his heavyweight crown when he meets Brett
Rogers at Strikeforce
“Heavy Artillery” on May 15 at the Scottrade Center in St.
Louis. Strikeforce officials made Sherdog.com aware of the decision
late Sunday.
Overeem’s appearance will end a 30-month absence from the U.S.-based organization. In the interim, the 6-foot-5 Dutch striker has recorded seven victories in eight fights in various promotions, including Dream, Ultimate Glory and K-1. Overeem also competed in K-1’s popular year-end kickboxing grand prix. The 29-year-old Pride Fighting Championships veteran has not defended his title since he won it in a submission victory over Paul Buentello in November 2007.
The previously undefeated Rogers succumbed to second-round strikes from the world’s top-ranked heavyweight, Fedor Emelianenko, at a Strikeforce show in November. The bout garnered more than five million viewers during a live CBS telecast. Rogers, 29, earned his crack at the world’s No. 1 heavyweight with a 22-second knockout against Andrei Arlovski in June. The Minnesotan has never gone the distance in 11 career bouts.
Overeem’s appearance will end a 30-month absence from the U.S.-based organization. In the interim, the 6-foot-5 Dutch striker has recorded seven victories in eight fights in various promotions, including Dream, Ultimate Glory and K-1. Overeem also competed in K-1’s popular year-end kickboxing grand prix. The 29-year-old Pride Fighting Championships veteran has not defended his title since he won it in a submission victory over Paul Buentello in November 2007.
The previously undefeated Rogers succumbed to second-round strikes from the world’s top-ranked heavyweight, Fedor Emelianenko, at a Strikeforce show in November. The bout garnered more than five million viewers during a live CBS telecast. Rogers, 29, earned his crack at the world’s No. 1 heavyweight with a 22-second knockout against Andrei Arlovski in June. The Minnesotan has never gone the distance in 11 career bouts.
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