Earlier today StrikeForce Director of Communications Mike Afromowitz had announced a Heavyweight title bout between Alistair Overeem and Fabricio Werdum on the August 15 card from the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California. However it left out what many people believe is the number 1 contender is Brett Rogers as his manager, Mike Reilly says that Overeem does not plan on facing ‘The Grim’.
In an interview with MMAFanhouse.com Reilly says that Overeem was offered to face his client on two separate occasions and decided not to do so.
“I don’t think Overeem was ever planning on fighting Brett,” Reilly said. “I think Overeem is afraid of Brett. He’s afraid of a big striker who is going to knock him out. … I don’t think anyone is going to admit that, but I’m not going to shy away from it. He’s had two opportunities to fight Brett but he hasn’t taken either of him.”
Reilly also believes that Werdum will not only beat Overeem for the title, but wants Rogers to face the former UFC vet for the title.
“Werdum will submit [Overeem] quick and easy. I think Overeem was a good champion for Strikeforce when they were a smaller show. Obviously, we want the biggest challenge we can have and we think that’s Werdum.”
“If I was Overeem, I would avoid Brett too. it’s a horrible f***ing fight for Overeem.”
Rogers picked up the biggest win of his career last month at StrikeForce “Lawler vs Shields” in St. Louis, Missouri when he knocked out former UFC Heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski in only 22 seconds of the first round and with that Reilly had this to say for the rest of the Heavyweight division.
“If you are under 250 pounds right now, just forget about fighting Brett Rogers because all that is going to happen is that you are going to get your head spun around.”
Fan Question: Do you agree with Rogers’ manager’s comments about Overeem and the Heavyweight division?
