Anybody else notice something about Overeems gameplanning?

What I mean is whenever he fights someone who's known for a specific part of their game like Mark Hunt-Striking, Brock Lesnar-Wrestling, Fabricio Werdum-Grappling, he usually just trains for that aspect of their game while not worrying about what else they might have to offer.

Mark Hunt - Idk what his gameplan for this fight was obviously, but you can tell he hadn't really trained for TDD for this fight.



Fabricio Werdum - The gameplan was clear as day even before the fight started. Avoid the ground and for the most part he did. But you could see that hadn't really prepared for Werdum having any offense in the striking department. Overeem should've easily outstruck Werdum but towards the end of the fight, Werdum was actually starting to get the best of Overeem in the striking exchanges.

Brock Lesnar - Same gameplan for Werdum, still didn't prepare for any type of striking offense from Lesnar, ever more so as he had his hands down(probably to make avoiding TDs easier but so what). Brock was actually able to cut Overeem above his right eyebrow though because of this though

So really no point to this thread, but I was wondering if you guys might think this is a positive or negative tendancy by Overeem?

 

Does Overeem even gameplan?

 

Yes, with both hands tied behind his massive back.

 

I think he just plans on punching the other guy as hard as he can in the 1st round if possible.

 

Doubtful, he hasnt really been challenged in MMA in years. He's destroyed everyone he has faced over the past 4 or so years. Worst adversity he has seen was gassing against Werdum.

 

interesting analysis op

 

so ur saying Overeem should've kept his hands up to prevent TD from Brock to prevent a cut from his jab?

 

TS, you're way off base here. It's not that Overeem doesn't have good gameplans the reality is that there are multiple variables in an MMA fight and sometimes things happened that are unexpected.

I don't think you can fault Overeem in anyway for the outcome of the Hunt fight. All that happened there was Hunt threw an overhand punch and as Overeem was coming forward. It missed his head but he used the momentum to push Overeem over. Anyone could get knocked over like that.

Overeem probably didn't expect Werdum to come in to the fight and constantly flop on his back every time Overeem tried to hit him. That was a very bizarre and unpredictable strategy on Werdum's part. Overeem was fixated on the takedown and Werdum would attack him with wild flurries then flop on his back which made it hard to time his defense. Ofcourse Overeem came in to the fight the intention to stand and strike while avoiding the ground at all costs but Werdum came at him with an awkward approach and as a result found some success in unexpected areas.

Against Lesnar Overeem came in to the fight with his only major concern being the takedown. As you said this is the reason he dropped his hands and yes Lesnar managed to cut him. That was a risk Overeem took to ensure that he didn't get taken down. Lesnar's base is wrestling and he's not the most technical but he hits very hard and has a long reach. Overeem admitted to being surprised by the reach but he made adjustments and destroyed Lesnar shortly after getting hit.

I don't believe Overeem neglects any aspect of his training when he fights an opponent. He analyzes the opponents and he address their strength while finding ways to beat them. So if he's up against a powerful wrestling he going to work his takedown defense and maybe hold his hands low anticipating the takedown. If he's up against a BJJ submission specialist who he knows has the ability to submit him he's going to keep the fight standings and beat him with striking.

Those are smart fight strategies.

If Overeem fights Junior Dos Santos I expect him to work on dismantling his Boxing by throwing leg kicks and getting the clinch. Preparing for everything but training to address your fighters specialty is a good way to fight. It doesn't always work because if your opponent knows what you expect from them they may try something different themselves.

 

yes, Overeem is a type of fighter who chooses to fight where his opponents weakest rather than where he is the strongest. It's similar to what GSP does.

this is different then what fighters like Anderson and JDS do where they consistently fight where they're strongest, regardless if their opponents strength.

Not saying one is superior to the other, just an observation.

 

Unfortunately Gameplan Enhancing Drugs don't exist.

 

The commentator says he took the fight vs Hunt on very short notice if you watch that fight

For Brock he relied on head movement to avoid the bigger shots and it worked fine. I dont think he minded getting jabbed a bit, he knew he could put Brock away with a few good shots so he ate those jabs. Perfect gameplan for a special opponent like Brock imo.

Overeem doesnt have a huge gas tank and thats the main reason he started getting hit against Werdum. I also think because he was afraid to kick that he had a hard time getting into his groove and finding the right range. Against Rogers when he kicked freely he avoided nearly every jab, the same jabs that broke Fedors nose really bad.

I hope Overeem have improved now that he has a better camp for MMA. If that is possible given how long he has been fighting.

 

Overeem got cut on a head collision against Lesnar. Not a jab, wtf.

 

Thats complete nonsense, did you see JDS grapple with Werdum or see Anderson grapple with Maia? They all try to fight where they are strongest, but unlike GSP, AS JDS and AO finish fights.

 

If Hunt hadn't stupidly jumped on top of overeem, there was no way he was going to lose that fight.

I fully expect Overeem to employ his ground game if he fights JDS. It's his best chance of winning. Standing with JDS is suicide.

 

Then he must have gassed early in the 1st round because werdum was landing on overeem early in the fight.

 

I worry about Reem's tendency to cover up as opposed to strike avoidance.

Beyond that he's fine.

 

Here's what's important:

JDS or anyone who can land clean and hard to the facial region, standing or on the ground, will give him big problems. He hesitates, panics, and devolves in some significant capacity almost every time. It really couldn't be more well-documented.

Ya, I don't think most people realize that Reem was out-landed by about 4:1 in the first round.

 

He also tends to bunch up and walk backwards, bad idea against guys like Junior who love the body shot and uppercuts.

I still think Reem should fight Cormier, market as former SF HW champion vs the current SF HW champion and have the winner fight for the ufc belt.

 

actually they do, it's called steven seagal.

 

made me giggle.