(One of the few times when shucking and/or ducking would have been the better career move.)
Well, this train has pulled into the station right on time. Not more than a couple hours after Strikeforce confirmed that Alistair Overeem would defend his heavyweight title against Fabricio Werdum, thus screwing over undefeated big man Brett Rogers, Rogers’ trainer/manager, Mike Reilly, has already responded exactly the way you probably expected him to:
"I don’t think Overeem was ever planning on fighting Brett," Reilly said. "I think Overeem is afraid of Brett. He’s afraid of a big striker who is going to knock him out. … I don’t think anyone is going to admit that, but I’m not going to shy away from it. He’s had two opportunities to fight Brett but he hasn’t taken either of [them]. … if I was Overeem, I would avoid Brett too. It’s a horrible f***ing fight for Overeem."
At least we got that over with.
So here’s the question we have to ask ourselves: is Overeem really scared of Brett Rogers, so much so that he decided to make his first title defense against someone who already has a victory over him instead of facing the dreaded Grimm? Probably not. Yes, Rogers is 10-0, but his list of opponents isn’t terribly prestigious until you get to his last fight, which no one expected him to win right up until the moment he bum-rushed Arlovski and shocked the world.
What’s more likely is that Overeem sees Rogers as a dangerous, but still relatively unknown opponent and decided that there’s not enough upside to justify the risk. If he beats Werdum (which Rogers’ manager says he doesn’t expect him to do) he can say he avenged a loss. And who doesn’t like saying that?
But in case you’re in danger of taking whatever Rogers’ manager says too seriously, we should note that he also added this warning to undersized heavyweights in general:
"If you are under 250 pounds right now, just forget about fighting Brett Rogers because all that is going to happen is that you are going to get your head spun around."
When reached for comment Fedor Emelianenko responded, via a translator, ‘Brett who? How did you get this number?’
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Comments
Mon, 07/06/09 - 04:18
Some of that is no doubt hyperbole, but the man has a point. Rogers is dangerous, and the fact that he isn't getting a title shot is absolute bullshit. Oh well...I think this makes Rogers more dangerous down the road. He'll be hungrier and angrier, and that man has kids to feed.
Mon, 07/06/09 - 04:18
I think Brett should have got the fight. Anyhow, he will get it next once this is done. Raw power vs. steroids, I think Brett takes that one.
Mon, 07/06/09 - 04:24
You know...this is the sort of shit that pissed me off about boxing. You rarely get the fight you want because of negotiations, etc. This guy doesn't like when the fight is scheduled, that guy doesn't like the venue...then there are the revenue splits. Its frakin BS! Managers and fighters have too much say in getting this shit done. If the NFL schedules you to play the defending Super Bowl champs in week 1 the next season, you don't get to duck them. You don't get to negotiate for a different opponent. You have to sack up and play frakin ball! UFC may be heavy-handed, but it is one thing they got right with the way they set up their fights, and often give fighters little options around it (also known as the "fight this guy, or your next fight will be in 16 months" negotiating technique).
Mon, 07/06/09 - 04:27
I think Brett should wait in the parking lot. For both of them. And while I'm at it.. I think with another quality win, Brett Rogers should catapult past Overeem...AND Rampage and Kimbo, and take on the role of B. A. Baracus. Mohawk's already there. Hmmm.. Maybe I just stepped on why Chuck's taking the rest of the year off. Okay I'll shut up.
Mon, 07/06/09 - 04:29
We all agree the Grim got screwed here, but dude(Reilly) needs to slow his roll. If your sceered, you dont agree to a fight with a guy that beat you already. Bottom line is a win over Rogers does nothing for Overeem, whereas a win over a former UFC contender,that also avenges a loss, is a better move , career wise. and FYI, Mr. Reilly, the list of HW guys under 250 that would walk through our boy Rogers doesnt nearly end with Fedor....
Mon, 07/06/09 - 04:29
with Grimms Clubber Lang-ish mohawk and mean persona, Im thinking Overeem is having nightmares about Rocky II when he thinks about that fight..
Mon, 07/06/09 - 04:37
@ Dubbayoo: Whatchoo talkin bout foo! Overeem took out 5 bouncers with like a single punch or something. And if Rogers would somehow live past one of those devastating punchs, then Overeem would knee his balls so hard they'd come out his mouth like Alien.
Mon, 07/06/09 - 04:55
speaking of boxing, rogers is throwing a total arm bunch there- his weight is not behind his punch, but in defense he does have big arms with plenty of weight of their own - I think if ppl like rogers can keep that street brawler mindset and add the technique to harness that power, he's going to be a beast. Then, then, I would like to see a Brock Lesnar vs. Brett Rogers war.
Mon, 07/06/09 - 05:02
I think Bens hit the nail on the head when stating that Rogers hasn't fought anybody but The Pitbull. He'll get his title shot in due time. He just better hope he wins. It's his managers job to talk big shit too so, everyone calm down. What did you expect?
Mon, 07/06/09 - 05:04
I think taht was a great explanation of the Grim Reaper's dilemna: >What’s more likely is that Overeem sees Rogers as a dangerous, >but still relatively unknown opponent and decided that there’s not >enough upside to justify the risk. So, who are you and what have you done to the people who usually write this blog?
Mon, 07/06/09 - 05:04
Brett if your out there Id like to extend an offer for you to come to Sacramento and do battle with Dan Quinn at the Vagos clubhouse. 6 oz gloves, no takedowns no kicks. Maitreya should be slightly more vulnerable now that he now longer has Jennifer in his corner to apply the superglue. You could get booku bucks if you help get stevia famous by getting annihilated by Maitreya (916 475 7856)
Mon, 07/06/09 - 05:15
Rogers is a bad man but i think Overeem would do him in demolition man will smash Werdum n them Grimm. However i would like Grimm to do the damage
Mon, 07/06/09 - 05:46
The end of this article is pure fucking gold.
Mon, 07/06/09 - 05:50
LOL, Fedor "How did you get this number?!" LOL, love Potato, too good.
Mon, 07/06/09 - 05:52
I seriously doubt the roided Overeem is scared of anyone. Brett needs to remember the fight game can go down to the ground and Overeem can ground and pound just about anyone into mincemeat in that position. One round against Fedor and Brett would learn real quick that to be the H.W champ requires more than just a good right hook.
Mon, 07/06/09 - 06:19
I dont think Rogers is an unknown. I think he is a farmilliar face but what makes him different is that he is somewhat well-known but has only 1 win over a big name. The shot will come but he is at least two fights away. That being said, Dont you just hate that Sheps guy?
Mon, 07/06/09 - 06:29
Overeem scared of Brett. Hahaha. Apparently Grim's managers haven't looked over Alistair's past opponents... a virtual who's-who of very dangerous fighters and kick-boxers. That's just funny. Sorry, but the coal their using for that hype-machine is a bit waterlogged.
Mon, 07/06/09 - 07:37
If Rogers doesn't get a title-shot fast, his hood rat wife will still be making more than him from the backseat of different people's car every night.
Mon, 07/06/09 - 07:50
Its been a minute since i have been on here and wow, Hahaha i just read the post about fagot HAL_13 trying to punk Shane Carwin. That has got to be the most hilarious thing i have ever seen. I agree though, fagot Hal_13's name has that number in it because he is 13 and wouldnt have hair yet on his little pubescent meat mound that he begs to call his manhood. Making fun of this kid so too easy hahaha oh my god that was great
Mon, 07/06/09 - 08:12
Its hours meat vs hamburger!
Mon, 07/06/09 - 08:12
oops I meant horse meat... dangit cant spell!
Mon, 07/06/09 - 11:04
@Meohfumado: "If the NFL schedules you to play the defending Super Bowl champs in week 1 the next season, you don't get to duck them. You don't get to negotiate for a different opponent. You have to sack up and play frakin ball!" That's just a bowl full of dumbass horrible metaphor.
Mon, 07/06/09 - 11:38
Chri534, Sardonic humor and HTML prowess? You are a goddamn sophisticate.
Tue, 07/07/09 - 01:42
If remy bonjasky can drop alistar rogers can EASILY do it. remy is real small and lean compared to rogers
Tue, 07/07/09 - 01:55
THINK ABOUT IT! All it would take is one solid punch for it to at LEAST wobble alistar real bad and one more to MURDER him. ROYER!!!
Tue, 07/07/09 - 02:02
I mean COME ON
Tue, 07/07/09 - 06:17
@ Nategets: Ball kneeing is illegal! :P
Tue, 07/07/09 - 10:03
I said a while ago I wanted to see Carwin vs Rogers and everybody jumped down my throat, saying Rogers wasn't crap. Now that Rogers beat AA everybody seems to be on his bandwagon.
Tue, 07/07/09 - 01:44
Carwin would wreck him without breaking a sweat.
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