[Shamrock-Ortiz]

http://mmajunkie.com/news/14557/alis...trikeforce.mma

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Following Saturday night's "Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Diaz" event at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif., the organization began to create buzz for future events by tossing around a few potential bouts.

One potential matchup discussed at the evening's post-event press conference that created immediate buzz was the return of Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem (29-11) against UFC and PRIDE veteran Fabricio Werdum (11-4-1).

While Werdum wasn't announced as an official signing, Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker suggested the bout was a strong possibility.

Overeem has fought twice for Strikeforce, defeating Vitor Belfort in 2006 as well as earning the organization's first heavyweight title by beating Paul Buentello in November 2007. The Dutch striker has yet to defend the title but has suggested in recent interviews he's intending to do so in June.

At Saturday's post-event press conference, Overeem was a bit less specific.

"I'm really excited to be back here in Strikeforce," Overeem said. "I had two great fights here, and I'm really looking forward to continuing my winning streak here. I'm looking forward to kicking some ass in the cage."

When asked by Coker if he had any specific opponents in mind, Overeem was reluctant to suggest any particular opponent.

"Any one of the top guys," Overeem said. "I don't care. Bring them on."

When Coker asked Overeem if there was anyone in the room who might like to face, Werdum stepped up to the stage. Speaking through an interpreter, Werdum said he would enjoy the opportunity to face "Demolition Man" a second time.

"I am very happy with the opportunity to be at Strikeforce," Werdum said. "It's going to be a real pleasure if the opportunity comes to fight Mr. Alistair Overeem. We fought two years ago, and if the opportunity comes I will be very happy to have the fight."

Werdum submitted Overeem with a kimura at a PRIDE event in May 2006. The Brazilian predicted a repeat performance should the two meet again.

"I'm going to take the other arm home," Werdum said. "And then the third time it's going to be hard to fight with no arms at all."

Coker told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that Overeem's recent claims to the media of a June appearance were still a bit premature. Coker also insisted the Overeem vs. Werdum fight was not set in stone.

"It's a direction, but it's not finalized," Coker said. "I had no idea [Werdum] was going to come up (to the stage). It was kind of a random thing.

"I said, 'Hey, let's take the picture or something.' But it wasn't planned."

At least one person in the press conference disapproved of the potential contest. Undefeated heavyweight Brett Rogers (9-0), a TKO winner over Ron "Abongo" Humphrey on the main card of the evening's Showtime-televised event, suggested he might be a suitable opponent for Overeem as well.

"Before everybody walks away, I mean I wouldn't mind fighting Overeem," Rogers said. "That would be nice right there."

For complete coverage of the June event "Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields," stay tuned to the MMA Rumors section of MMAjunkie.com.

Either of these would eat Rogers up.

I think Overeem takes Werdum these days, he's improved a bunch since their last fight. He keeps the fight on the feet and knocks Werdum out.

Thoughts on how a possible rematch would go?

[yorT]

Yeah Overeem has been looking real good these days and I got him beating Werdum.

[FunkYou]

Overeem has looked decent but Fab-doom is still the favourite here surely? Or has his KO by Dos Santo dropped his stock that much.

[bbjd7]

Overeem gets tapped again.

He hasn't shown anything that makes me think he would keep the fight standing and while his stand up is nasty I think Werdum knows he's not a striker now and would get it to the ground where no one really has a good shot against Werdum especially not Overeem.

Btw this fight IMO is way better talent/skill wise then Lesnar vs Mir.

[MilesHackett]

Let's see if Alistair can pass a drug test in the US. Even if he does, Werdum beats him again IMO.

[bbjd7]

This is probably the worst guy in all of MMA for Alistair to face including Fedor.

Mostly because Werdum has no interest in striking, he should be able to get him down and on the ground it's a mismatch.

Fedor at least usually is willing to stand and strike with people and that gives Overeem a good shot at trying to hurt him (I don't think he would but he has a shot)

Werdum will be going for the takedown from the opening bell so unless Overeem has his TDD at a higher level he's in huge trouble.

[MilesHackett]

Originally Posted by bbjd7

This is probably the worst guy in all of MMA for Alistair to face including Fedor.

Mostly because Werdum has no interest in striking, he should be able to get him down and on the ground it's a mismatch.

Fedor at least usually is willing to stand and strike with people and that gives Overeem a good shot at trying to hurt him (I don't think he would but he has a shot)

Werdum will be going for the takedown from the opening bell so unless Overeem has his TDD at a higher level he's in huge trouble.

Their last fight was strange because Werdum actually did really well standing with Overeem and Overeem swept Werdum to get back to his feet during a scramble lol.

[bbjd7]

It was yea Werdum's stand up isn't as horrible as people think it is because of the Dos Santos fight.

Werdum can throw good flurries and has a nice chin he just needs to be more cautious and not try to be a striker like he did against Junior.

[FunkYou]

The Dos Santo sight was pretty short and it was almost the first real exchange that landed Werdum on his ass. I don't know if he was necessarily trying to be a striker he just got caught attempoting one of those flurries you were talking about.

However with Overeem it would have to be a case fighting stupid if he even attempted this much stand up. The fight cannot hit the mat fast enough for Werdum here.

[bbjd7]

Nah he tried to throw a big punch not a flurry.

He was going for a knockout with his punches and that's not his style he just needs to use his flurries to keep him up and then get the takedown.