Alistair Overeem puts his debut in the superior light when compared with Michael Chandler’s recent debut at UFC 257.
With a sensational debut at UFC 257, Michael Chandler has become the bearer of the MMA fraternity’s chief attention. With all the hype that was around the high-profile recruit from Bellator MMA, and the follow-up first-round TKO win over Dan Hooker, the fighter has made the best possible start to his UFC stint, and on account of this many believe his debut was the most iconic of all.
Irrespective of what is being perceived out there, Alistair Overeem has some contradictory views and believes his debut created more reverberations than Chandler’s.
Alistair Overeem addresses comparisons between his UFC debut and Michael Chandler’s
Overeem, who debuted at UFC 141, faced the heavy favorite Brock Lesnar in the fight and left him out of sorts in the first round itself. At the time, his win produced staggering reactions as nobody estimated the impact a leg kick could cause to Lesnar. However, there existed many other factors, and owing to them, he believes his debut was better in comparison to Michael Chandler’s
“Definitely better than Michael Chandler,” Overeem told MMA Fighting about his debut win over Lesnar. “All respect to Michael and his performance, but I don’t think you can even compare those two fights. Alistair vs. Brock Lesnar in 2011, or Michael Chandler vs. Dan Hooker. I don’t think you can make a comparison between those two.”
“I remember everything very clear,” Overeem said. “There was a lot of things going on. It was crazy. I came off the [Fabricio] Werdum win and then before that the K-1 Grand Prix win and the DREAM title win.
“It was a very hectic time. A lot of moving parts. I was moving to the states. Fans everywhere. I couldn’t walk around Vegas, I just got chased by fans. It was a crazy time. I’m actually happy it’s not as hectic anymore. It’s a little more calm and soothing.”
While 10 years have passed to that debut, The Demolition Man is now in the Twilight of his career and is seeking his final Heavyweight title shot in UFC. And in order to bolster his chances, the 43-year-old will enter the Octagon on Saturday at UFC Vegas 18. The pressure will be high as No.6 ranked UFC heavyweight Alexander Volkov will be up against him.
“I’m enjoying the walkout, the fight, and everything that comes with it. So there is not really pressure. I think also that pressure does not improve your performance. There wouldn’t be any pressure. Of course, the pressure it’s always kind of there, but I’m just enjoying it.”
With a win, Overeem can become the next No.1 contender, however, at this time his only focus is how to get the better of his opponent to be.
“Let’s fight Saturday and see what happens there,” he said. “Then after we’ll talk again.”
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