Alistair Overeem's spot in the MMA heavyweight rankings is a hotly debated topic. It's no different in K-1. The hulking Dutchman is viewed as a johnny-come-lately by some kickboxing fans.
He's putting his reputation on the line when he takes on some of the best big men in the world at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 Final tomorrow morning in Tokyo, Japan (HDNet on Saturday 2 a.m. ET/11 p.m. PT).
Overeem is trying to beat out legends like Semmy Schilt and Peter Aerts. He's also got to do it all in one night. Schilt is the heavy favorite at minus-135. Overeem is the second choice at plus-205.
Tim Koskuba over at Head Kick Legend says a Schilt-Overeem final is from a lock. HKL thinks the semifinals could be produce some upsets.
Aerts has figured out Schilt in the past, and if someone is going to beat Schilt, it'll likely be a guy that knows how to deal with his lengthy, karate style. Aerts knows Schilt better than anyone else in this tournament, as the two veterans have fought three times before.
[...]Other than Schilt, I think Saki presents the most problems to Overeem in this line-up. If you look at Overeem's past losses in K-1 and MMA, he doesn't deal well when powerful punchers come in and pressure him. Chuck Liddell did it, and knocked Overeem out. Sergei Kharitonov did it, and knocked Overeem out. Badr Hari did it, and knocked Overeem out. Gohkan Saki's biggest strengths are his aggressiveness and his ability to finish guys. If he goes in there, and isn't intimidated by the massive size and power of Overeem, Saki has the skills to finish him off.
The prefight press conference ended a few hours ago and the guy with the most unique slant on K-1 is HDNet announcer Michael Schiavello.
Via Twitter @schiavellovoice, the crazy Aussie said Aerts and Kyotara are polar opposites when it comes to postfight plans.
Head Kick Legend points the Daniel Ghita and Saki fight is the most even matched in the first round. With this injury note, maybe the edge has to go Saki.
The boisterous Schiavello wasn't a big fan of the stoic Schilt.
K-1 World Grand Prix betting odds (Courtesy Schiavello):
Semmy Schilt (-135)
Alistair Overeem (+205)
Peter Aerts (+575)
Daniel Ghita (+400)
Gokhan Saki (+1000)
Tyrone Spong (+1200)
Kyotaro (+1200)
Mighty Mo (+2000)
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