Photo by Esther Lin for MMAFighting.com
UFC 141: Lesnar vs. Overeem ended with a fury as UFC newcomer Alistair Overeem stopped former UFC Heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar at 2:26 of round 1. With the win, Overeem becomes the new #1 contender to Junior dos Santos and the UFC Heavyweight title, and dos Santos was brought in to the cage to make the bout official.
But as big as the news of Overeem vs. dos Santos is, it has been overshadowed by the other post-fight announcement: the retirement of Brock Lesnar. The former champion stated after the fight that this was his last time in the Octagon, adding that had he won, he would have challenged dos Santos for the belt, then left the sport after that fight. Lesnar retires with a record of 5-3, with all but 1 of those fights taking place in the UFC. Of those 8 fights, 6 came against the very highest level of Heavyweight opponents. There will be much more coverage of Lesnar's legacy, but for now, it's safe to say he will go down as both a former UFC Heavyweight champion, and the biggest draw of the company's near 20 year history.
What was the high spot of this fight?
Overeem's body work with knees was nasty, culminating in that final kick. That's the kind of striking K-1 fans knew he was capable of.
Where do these guys go from here?
For both, the path is clear. Overeem next faces Junior dos Santos for the UFC Heavyweight title. That fight should be a great one - a fascinating clash of strikers. Hopefully Reem's win here gave him the needed boost in visibility to make that fight the big seller it deserves to be.
For Brock, next up is likely The Undertaker at WrestleMania. It may not happen this year, but a return to his roots in pro wrestling and Vince McMahon's WWE seems inevitable. I don't see him returning full-time, but I imagine there will be at least a small handful of Brock wrestling matches in our future.
Watch it now, later or never?
Now. Maybe not the most technically great fight ever, but it's the retirement of the biggest star in the sport, and the arrival of a new mega-star. It needs to be seen.
More Bloody Elbow coverage of UFC 141 in the full entry.
0 recs | 38 comments
So scared for his health now
dajulzta - January 1, 2012 via Android app
Reem is obviously the better striker, and since he wont have to worry about being taken down he can really let his hands, feet and knees go. I think he beats JDS.
ProfessorBLove - January 1, 2012
If he doesn’t worry about the TD he will get taken down. The clearest path to victory over Ubereem is to make him gas by grappling. If JDS doesn’t go that route and just straight stands with him he’s playing a risky game.
KGNLuc - January 1, 2012
if you think he’s scared of trading strikes with JDS you’re crazy. He’s a fucking K1 champ. He’s not afraid of anyone on the feet. Playing with fire or not you best believe his strategy is gonna be to stand
Desmoglein - January 1, 2012
all it takes is one uppercut
if you doubt JDS’ skill standing simply because overeem is a K1 champ your being foolish. JDS has tight crisp boxing and will certainly challenge overeem’s defensive abilities. its gonna be a hell of a fight and i honestly don’t think either fighter has an advantage in the standup game.
milk72 - January 1, 2012
Huh? I said, JDS should tire him out first because cardio is Overeems proven achilles heel. I was not talking about Alistair being scared at all?
KGNLuc - January 1, 2012
Grappling is a bad idea imo. I don’t see a happy night for JDS if he gets tied up in clinch situations with Overeem repeatedly. Overeems clinch is lethal, both in terms of strikes and in terms of his grappling. Honestly I’d not be shocked at all if Overeem looks to clinch up, damage with knees, and then take JDS down and try to bludgeon him from top position.
Superstitiousmma - January 1, 2012
I was going to comment on how trying a takedown against Overeem might be a good idea
But then I had a thought along those lines. JDS better work his hands and his face defence.
verloc - January 1, 2012
I don’t see how grappling is such a bad idea. Werdum had him dead tired by flopping to the ground and setting up his mediocre TDs with strikes. Junior hasn’t shown much wrestling except defensively but I assume he has trained it, just never had to use it so far.
KGNLuc - January 1, 2012
JDS would be foolish to grapple with Overeem.
He has criminally underrated trips and throws from the clinch, and a solid jiu jitsu base.
lolumad - January 1, 2012
Overeem is going to be the one grappling
Overeem will ubertoss JDS :)
Pandanus - January 2, 2012
So what. If Junior has shown competence in grappling, it was in getting back up. I don’t see Overeem controlling him on the ground for long.
KGNLuc - January 2, 2012
I don't think it's that obvious
Overeem is the more decorated pure striker, but Junior has accomplished much more, against better competition in MMA. I think Junior is faster, and has better hands. Ask Cerrone what someone like that can do to a good kickboxer.
Dave Strummer - January 1, 2012
No way. Cerrone is a decent kick boxer but Reem is one of the best in the world. And theres no way JDS puts out the same volume of punches Diaz did.
ProfessorBLove - January 1, 2012
I agree
Reem is gonna beat JDS.
RolloTomasi - January 1, 2012
In my opinion, Cerrone was playing more towards Nate’s strengths (boxing) in that fight, and Cerrone didn’t even listen to his corner. Overeem was playing to his strengths (clinch/knees) against Lesnar, and I don’t see why he wouldn’t against JDS.
chrisbboy82 - January 2, 2012
My point is that Reem is not superior to JDS is all aspects of striking
he surely has better kicks and knees, and is more proven in the clinch, but JDS has much better hands, and will have a considerable speed advantage going into the fight. This idea that Reem is going to steamroll JDS by completely outclassing him striking seems completely wrong to me.
Dave Strummer - January 2, 2012
I think that any one of these fighters steamrolling their opponent is a great over-exagerration. I would argue that JDS has better boxing and speed, but more at range. Overeem tends to go more inside and throw hooks from the inside with his hands, and his knees and kicks are deadly. I see Overeem trying to get inside and use kicks when on the outside, while JDS will try to fight more at range.
chrisbboy82 - January 2, 2012
MegaREEM!
four20 - January 2, 2012
Where to go?
Overeem versus Dos Santos is going to be such a fun fight. I’m really excited for that, as everyone else I’m sure is. As far as Lesnar vs. Undertaker, with Mark Callaway’s (‘Takers real name) advancing age, odds are that the next Wrestlemania will be his last, and his streak ending will be used to put over a younger talent. Every older wrestler facing a retirement match knows it’s his job to put over the next generation. It would be a waste of time for Lesnar vs. Undertaker, and would be incredibly disappointing to this mark.
Now Overeem has a few challenges ahead of him, but in my humble opinion, given the state of the HW division, the belt is his to take and keep, probably until he decides to retire. I watch the up and comers in the other divisions (Titan, Sharkfights, et cetera) and there isn’t anyone even in the realm of Overeem’s skill, experience, and jumping Jehosophat, strength. Unless I missed someone somewhere, though I have mad love for Cigano the person, as well as the fighter, he really is in a tough spot. If he beats ‘Reem I will wear make-up Schiavallo style. Fortunately, I doubt that is going to be an issue. Can’t wait! Have A Nice Day!
Mr. Socko - January 1, 2012
There was no shame in Brock losing.
The Reem did have a 12 inch colon advantage.
Now Reem vs JDS… I don’t want either fighter to lose. It’ll be tense.
M.Sphinx - January 1, 2012
Am I the only one that cares far less about Lesnar retiring than I do Overeem vs JDS which is really gonna be an epic clash of titans
Desmoglein - January 1, 2012
You aren't the only one.
It’s just that every time a sport’s figure retires, it kind of turns into a big deal.
Unabomberman - January 1, 2012
I don't want to see Overeem or JDS to lose.
av1o3 - January 1, 2012
Overeem Striking game vs JDS
now I know everybody thinks Overeem has the best striking and he’s VERY good but I dont think he’s gonna beat JDS. Dos Santos Knocks fools out.
http://www.mrvons-universe.com/sports/ufc-141-recap/
Vaughn MrVon Maurice - January 1, 2012
And...
Overeem knocksFIGHTERS out. Now granted, JDS is going to actually employ a gameplan that plays to his strengths, (Cain, Brock, I’m looking at YOU) but I spent the last month studying Overeem’s fights, and though there are a few tomato cans in his record, his exploits as a LHW show he can beat some serious badasses. JDS will have to come after him fast and furious, use those angles he employed against Valasquez, and pray the Uberknee doesn’t find its mark. IF he goes in without fear of the impeccable striking that ‘Reem has, he will get his lunch handed to him. Maybe it’s too early for me to lay down predictions, but I know one prediction that I would bet my collection of classic 45’s on: THIS fight will NOT go the distance. I’m not a mark for ‘Reem after the whole Golden Glory debacle, and there is nothing more that I want than for him to lay in a crumpled mess while JDS smiles. But folks, that probably ain’t gonna happen. As a new poster, I don’t know what a rec bet is. (I’ve been reading this site for a year, and just now decided to start posting.) But I would definitely make a rec bet on this fight. Have A Nice Day!
Mr. Socko - January 1, 2012
Sig bet
It’s a signature bet. Just find someone to bet against you and then you can wager who will write what in their signature and what is written usually stays up until the next PPV.
TorQus - January 2, 2012 via mobile
Hard to feel too much sympathy for a guy who earned the payday Lesnar did and pretty much folded, but it was hard not to feel sad for him. It’s only 30 months since he was prowling the cage yelling about coors light after smashing Frank Mir to bits in a truly frightening display of power and aggression, looking at his meek manner during and after the Overeem fight, it felt more like 30 years.
sheikybaby - January 1, 2012
So it was both hard to feel bad for him and hard to not feel bad for him at the same time.
Hendo_One-Shot - January 1, 2012
" Lesnar's legacy"
LOL
catsmasher - January 1, 2012
lol you mean bastard
rec’d
Cunny - January 2, 2012
Hate on.
RolloTomasi - January 2, 2012
The Lineal UFC AND PRIDE HW CHAMP IS HERE FOR HIS BELT!!!!
the-gentle-way - January 2, 2012 via mobile
This pic looks so weird.
It looks like whoever just stuck his head on.
SentientAndroid - January 3, 2012
As far as proving how effective Overeem will against JDS the lesnar fight is meaningless.
Lesnar failed to execute any gameplan. He looked jittery on his feet simply standing in front of Reem. No take down attempts beyond weakly grabbing at a single leg. Lesnar looked shifty eyed and nervous as he reached the end of his walkout. Reems prior HW fights don’t proove much beyond him having KO power early on. The Werdum fight was awful. Prior to that we have Todd Duffee, another meaningless fight unless you want to draw a parallel between Reem and Mike Russow. And then Brett Rogers. Brett Rogers.
JDS knocked out Cain, who I think is undoubtly a better fighter than Reem. JDS wasn’t phased facing Cain the way I believe Lesnar was facing Overeem. JDS has an all round advantage in this fight.
Do I think Reem can win early on? Yeah. Clearly so can JDS. If there’s a KO in the first round, brilliant. But I really hope this fight get’s to the second round, it’ll mean so much more.
UncleMax - January 2, 2012
Brock Lesnar the biggest star in the sport?
My first thought:
Then I realised along with GSP he actually is. And I’ll never know why…
Pahlavi - January 2, 2012
Darn it.
Can’t seem to edit my post. Anyway I’ll post the other image for funnsies.
Pahlavi - January 2, 2012
I hate it when I can't call a fight.
I thought (and still think) that JDS could starch Brock, but I’m not so sure about AO. Still pulling for JDS though.
SentientAndroid - January 3, 2012
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