Prime Fedor vs Current Overeem

I'm as big a Fedor fan and believer as you'll find, but you can't pretend he beat Rogers as convincingly and dominantly as he would have a few years ago. You just can't. The finish was sublime, but the 1st round told me that Fedor has declined. Rogers is a C-class heavyweight, and Overeem handled him like one, Fedor made it harder than it should have been. JMO.

 

As always, very knowledgable and insightful response. :good

 

Lets not pretend Fedor didnt have trouble agenst guys like Fujita, Randleman and Hunt back in Pride, he's always had a very aggresive risk taking game.

As to whether he's declined or not I think he's lost some speed and agenst Werdum maybe some focus but technically I think he's actually improved. Fedor's striking in Pride was more about speed and aggresion than great accuracey, more recently however he's been hitting opponantsd plum on the chin and you've seen the results with the greater number of KO's.

 

Thank you.

Fedor is just such an interesting case.

 

You can see it that way. But I think that Fedor has more respect for KO power then for submission. That's why IMO alot of people think, like you said, he made it look harder then it should have been.

But yes, a few years ago he would have just took Rogers down and subbed him. On the other hand he always loved beating people at there own game.

So yes, it's inevitable he can't get younger, he won't get faster he is on the decline but not that much IMO !

Like Beebs mentionned Fedor now is better at striking, I would have loved to see a young Fedor with the striking skills he has now.