By Robert Rousseau
It's not official, but Mirko Cro Cop Filipovic may very well be about to take on Alistair Overeem on September 23rd in DREAM. Can you imagine a Mirko Cro Cop Filipovic vs. Alistair Overeem bout going the distance? Neither can anyone else with these two highly touted strikers, which is why the whole idea of the fight has MMA fans stoked worldwide. Anyway, Cro Cop said the following at his blog recently after noting that his recovery from knee surgery was going well.
"I'm hoping to face a top ranked fighter ( on September 23rd in DREAM ) preferably Alistair Overeem. I'm familiar with his latest interviews and many people already asked me what do I think about his words. I don't like commenting other fighters; it's not my thing.
But Alistair, you should save your strength for a real fight, because it's coming. When I see you in the opposite corner, then I'll talk."
Those certainly sound like fighting words, no? So let's get to breaking this one down.
Back in 2007 when he was fighting in PRIDE, Alistair Overeem wasn't even considered a rival to Mirko Cro Cop. The reason was simple. Overeem fought in PRIDE's 205 pound division. Though he always appeared to have the size to compete in the heavyweight division-he stands 6-foot-5-the fact that he hadn't necessarily proven to be a true contender in the division below seemed to make the notion of fighting the heavyweight elite a pipe dream.
Overeem was famous for starting out fights in dominant fashion only to crumble later against the best of competition. He did so against the likes of Mauricio Rua, Chuck Liddell, and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. All losses by way of stoppage that looked like possible wins in the early going.
But since he made the move to full time fighting in the heavyweight division, Overeem has won three of his last four matches, including stoppages of Paul Buentello, Mark Hunt, and Tae Hyun Lee.
And he's been calling out Mirko Cro Cop Filipovic for quite awhile now.
In the end, Overeem's cardio may be improved since he jumped up in weight; he hasn't really been involved in any late rounds fights so it's hard to know. It is possible, as the weight cuts may have been impacting him negatively. Regardless, Overeem is very athletic, has a very long reach, and is a very strong technical striker. What's more, he hits like a truck and is very tough in the clinch.
Lots of very's, huh? Overeem also possesses one heckuva guillotine choke.
Though his ground game is a relative weakness, it is solid. Still, it's hard to imagine that this fight is going to the ground, as that's Cro Cop's relative weakness as well.
Speaking of Cro Cop.
Mirko Cro Cop possesses the most powerful and fastest acting kicks in the business. He also has outstanding technical striking skills and very strong takedown defense.
But his confidence has perhaps never been as shaken as it is now.
In sum, ever since he was knocked out by Gabriel Gonzaga in the UFC by a high kick-his own best weapon - he hasn't looked the same. There are legions of fans out there that want to see the same old Mirko when he takes on Alistair Overeem; the guy that no one wanted to stand with. But will they?
Hard to know.
Mirko Cro Cop vs. Alistair Overeem Prediction
Heck, this fight hasn't even been officially set up; so this could all be very premature. Still, with Overeem calling out Filipovic left and right you have to believe it will eventually happen. And when it does expect fireworks.
These two strikers will come out guns blazing. Don't expect the fight to make it out of the first round. On one hand, Cro Cop may have trouble with Overeem's reach and overall athleticism. His hands are excellent. On the other hand, if Cro Cop uses his kicks and angles like he used to, Overeem may very well be in trouble.
It boils down to who hits first. This one is a tough call, as either fighter could take this one home.
But expect Cro Cop to hit first. And when he does truly connect, it's usually over.
