Yeah, but Overeem was not worried about Lesna'rs punches... He was worried about him rushing him, and taking him down. His plan was to wait for Lesnar and knee him, it was pretty apparent. It was no part of Overeem's plan to punch last night. Just sit there, wait, and when Lesnar didn't do anything... Reem thought he would just grab ahold and knee the crap out of him.
i dont see the purpose of walking in against anyone with your chin up, its risky and reckless. these heavies have heavy hands (including Brock), and you never know if he lets a punch go that lands on him coming in. overeem proved to be successful and bother brock with a couple punches he landed to the face/head on the outside, which showed he could have kept distance and picked brock apart from the outside as opposed to clinching on the inside.
I think he was baiting Brock into comitting to something (a punch, a shot). I really don't think it was too bad of a plan, it worked to perfection.
Overeem won the K1 grand prix last year, so saying he is one of the best strikers in the world isn't a stretch. Overeem isn't one of the best technicians in the world. His form isn't bad, so maybe technique isn't what I'm after. Overeem is always a little cautious. He doesn't really do anything defensively other than cover up and move away. He doesn't really use footwork to set anything up, and he doesn't look to parry and counter. He wins most of the time by being the bigger guy.
Hey I agree with Overeem being with open en taking unnecessary risks. That was also very obvious in the Werdum fight were he just took shots from Werdum. In the best scenario he's just not worried about these shots and is willing to take them, but in the worst scenario he has no defense for these. In K-1 he always had his hands up and he used his huge arms and big gloves to secure a great defense, in mma he seems to carry his hands very far from his head. They also have smaller gloves and he has to worry about takedown attempts in mma. The danger of Overeem is the power in his strikes. He's not a fluid kickboxer like Le Banner or Saki with great combinations. He just waits, covers up and when the moments is there he throws a bomb that can hurt anyone. His training partners are what makes him so good. He also seems very intelligent if you hear him in his interviews.
Hands - yes Elbows - not really considered incredible and not put to much use Knees - no way Kicks - no Reem has height, reach, strength, power and great kick boxing BUT his hands are only average and his boxing defence is even worse. Few guys can exploit it but I think JDS might be the guy to do it. Reems boxing defence is hands up and its a poor full guard. His striking is big shots. Someone like JDS has the footwork/range but his boxing is rooted in fluid punches, speed, the jab, body work and combos.
Not anymore, hes pissed off his high level K-1 training partners and started training with lower level American kickboxers. From here on out, I can see Overeem's striking not being as good (although still better than anything that the UFC can offer)
Most likely because many feel Kharitonov's freak shoulder dislocation in the opening minute of the fight had a lot to do with the outcome, especially considering the way their rematch went. Don't get me wrong, I'd pick Overeem to KO Sergei in a rubber match today, but Kharitonov settled the score in 2007, out toughed and brutalized Overeem, and had him running away from his punches.
I was thinking of Mike too. But realistically his success is small compared with a power house like GG. Although he does train Manhoef, Daley and Hari.