There are a lot of teammates that refuse to fight each other in the UFC, but heavyweight contenders Alistair Overeem and Andrei Arlovski are not part of that group. The training partners at Jackson-Wink MMA have agreed to meet as the headlining bout for the UFC’s Fight Night card in Rotterdam, Netherlands on May 8. Things might get a little awkward in the gym, as this is a high-stakes bout for both men.
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ODDS ANALYSIS
Overeem will likely open as a clear favorite, which is understandable considering he’s coming off the most significant win of his UFC career. Arlovksi’s six-fight win streak came to an end in his most recent outing, as his glass jaw resurfaced and was shattered by Stipe Miocic. That’s not a good sign leading up to a bout with notorious knockout artist like Overeem.
A FAMILY AFFAIR
Although both men train at Jackson-Wink, it’s been reported that the heavyweights will work out at different times with different coaches, and Greg Jackson will corner Arlvoski on fight night. You still have to wonder how many hours they’ve spent training alongside each other and sparring. There’s no doubt they they’ll be intimately familiar with the other’s techniques.
After losing three of his first five UFC bouts and switching teams multiple times, Overeem seems to have found his groove in Albuquerque. He’s a much different fighter than the aggressive kickboxer that sent Lesnar into retirement. Having been knocked out on multiple occasions, the Dutchman is a far more patient striker, cautiously staying out of harm’s way and picking his shots.
With three straight wins, the most recent coming against former heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos, Overeem is in prime position to earn a shot at the title. There are other deserving contenders as well, but Overeem’s crowd-pleasing fight style and imposing frame makes him extremely marketable.
Arlovski was on the verge a title shot until his loss to Miocic. A win over Overeem could put him right back in the mix, but he’d likely need a few more wins to seriously be considered a legitimate candidate to challenge for the belt. Still, it’d be a huge notch on the belt in his decorated career.
THE EARLY PLAYS
It’s hard not to like Overeem in this matchup. He is no longer the gung ho “Demolition Man” that we fell in love with, but what he loses in style points he makes up for in wins. Both men prefer to operate on the feet, and Alistair - a former K-1 heavyweight world champion - has far more tools to work with. If he keeps his chin tucked and his defense tight, Overeem should be able to outstrike Arlovski.
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Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker sportsbook! You can even wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Money lines, totals, props and money line are all available now. UFC Fight Night Rotterdam takes place May 8, 2016 at the Ahoy Rotterdam in Rotterdam Netherlands. The card is expected to air on FOX Sports 1 following early prelims on UFC Fight Pass.
