Werdum blames Overeem for Strikeforce farce

[Rich Davie]

ESPN staff
June 22, 2011


Fabricio Werdum begged Alistair Overeem to jump into his guard during last weekend's Strikeforce event © Getty Images

Fabricio Werdum has blamed a knee injury and Alistair Overeem for Saturday's lacklustre Strikeforce event in Dallas.

Werdum lost a disappointing decision in the Heavyweight Grand Prix quarter-finals, seemingly punished for a lack of Octagon control after he continuously threw himself to the mat, hoping Overeem would jump into his guard.

The Brazilian drew strong criticism for his performance, with Overeem insisting his rival "did not come to fight".

Werdum insists he was hampered by a knee problem though, and he also questioned Overeem's courage after the kickboxer intelligently refused to enter into a ground war with the jiu-jitsu specialist.

"If you look well, you'll see that my knee got out of place in the beginning of the second round," Werdum told R7.com. "It hurt so much, it was difficult to get up and it took a little of my focus. I will have an MRI scan and see whether it is serious and when I will be able to train.

"I should have had more faith in my stand-up, listened to [coach] Rafael Cordeiro. Strategically he (Overeem) was better. Perhaps, if I hadn't pulled the guard so many times, I would have won.

"He didn't want to go to the ground with me at all but it is an MMA fight, you have to do the ground game as well. I think it is funny that [opponents] call me to go at them and I do, but when I call them to the mat, nobody does."

http://www.espn.co.uk/ufc/sport/story/97562.html

[James Ryan]

Blah, blah, blah... If you want a guy on the ground, then you TAKE HIM TO THE GROUND. You don't fall on your ass, lay there and hope that Christmas comes early.

Lamest excuse so far.

[Discipline]

i blame them both. there were 2 fighters in there nad neither did too much to win so both guys should blame theirselves.

[Misfit]

i blame them both. there were 2 fighters in there nad neither did too much to win so both guys should blame theirselves.

agreed, both guys gave us a shitty fight IMO.

[Cisco]

Yeah, just watched this and both gave a shitty fight, but Werdum laid on his ass begging for Overeem to hand him a chance. That was pitiful on his part and smart on Overeem's part. Why should he play into Werdum's strengths? Like James said take him down if you want it on the ground. Even when he did have him down though he could t keep him there. It's his own fault.

[SiMMAFighter]

I can't blame Overeem for not fighting to someone else's benefit. Werdum was doing well in the stand up, but still looked timid. Pulling guard like that works in a BJJ tourney or against an inexperienced fighter. No veteran, especially an elite striker would be dumb enough to fall into that trap. Fedor was different, because he has a great ground game and got caught.

[Discipline]

Yeah, just watched this and both gave a shitty fight, but Werdum laid on his ass begging for Overeem to hand him a chance. That was pitiful on his part and smart on Overeem's part. Why should he play into Werdum's strengths? Like James said take him down if you want it on the ground. Even when he did have him down though he could t keep him there. It's his own fault.

this is true, but it also doesnt mean that wedum should have to stand and bang with a much better striker. the issue was (as you said) if he wanted the fight to hit the floor he needed to set up a takedown.

[Misfit]

I can't blame Overeem for not fighting to someone else's benefit. Werdum was doing well in the stand up, but still looked timid. Pulling guard like that works in a BJJ tourney or against an inexperienced fighter. No veteran, especially an elite striker would be dumb enough to fall into that trap. Fedor was different, because he has a great ground game and got caught.

I'm not saying I blame Overeem for not going into his guard, that would have been stupid. But for him to get out struck in the standing part, that's a bad showing IMO. Yeah, I understand he was afraid of getting taken down but he stand up and covering up when Werdum was coming forward was a bad showing. Granted, not as bad as the butt scoot crap, but still bad.

[Discipline]

yeah theres NOTHING that can be justified for what both guys did. both guys blew it....

[Cisco]

Yup, butt scoots are generally a bad sign in an mma fight. Also I think he had zero respect for Werdum's stand up and really didn't mind getting tagged so he could go for the homerun. He did cover up, but I didn't see it as too bad, but agree that he should've thrown more. It was a lame ass fight either way you slice it. So what happens if Reem wins this tournament? He fights himself?:

---------- Post added at 01:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:00 PM ----------

Somehow I see SF having him fight Fedor if Reem does win the whole thing.