Not to look past the importance of tomorrow night and the UFC heavyweight championship that will be decided between Cain Velasquez and Junior Dos Santos but the fun in the division happens at UFC 141, when former UFC champion Brock Lesnar returns and faces off against the former Strikeforce heavyweight champion, Alistair Overeem. The UFC has already announced that the winner of tomorrow’s championship bout will defend the title against the winner of Lesnar/ Overeem. FightHubTV wants to look early on into this “fatal fourway” that is atop the 265lb division.
CAIN VELASQUEZ – Current champion and undefeated, fate may turn her ugly head in his direction tomorrow night and cause him the first career loss he has avoided. Focused and dedicated to his profession, Velasquez promises to defend and maintain his title for some time. Getting past JDS tomorrow night will be a tough test for him at this stage in his journey but not the toughest test to date. The problem on the horizon for Velasquez is “The Demolition Man.” Overeem’s experience and multiple wins both by submission and KO/TKO would rival the athleticism and youth of the AKA champion.
JUNIOR DOS SANTOS– Fast, superior boxing and a ground game that can get him out of trouble when needed, JDS is able to get past Cain Velasquez and become UFC champion. Impeding his journey more than his opponent currently is himself. Having his last two fights both end in unanimous decision victories are impressive, given who he was fighting (Roy Nelson and Shane Carwin) but this is on the heels of six fight win streak, all by stoppages. Not being able to put away top level competition will play against a fighter and have them questioning their ability and thinking the other man is indeed better. Being defeated mentally is far worse damage than any strike can inflict.
BROCK LESNAR – Say what you want about his former life as a professional wrestler, but before the F-5’s and epic WrestleMania matches, he was a collegiate wrestler and focused on being a professional combative fighter eventually. Fast forward to Feb 2008, Lesnar was welcomed into the UFC, suffering a submission loss to Frank Mir. After claiming the belt from Randy Couture in November of the same year, he defended the championship twice, against Frank Mir and Shane Carwin. Looking to defend it for a third time was stopped short by Velasquez, who showed the world that he was a serious threat and Brock Lesnar does not like to get hit in the face. Coming back at UFC 141 from diverticulitis, “The Next Big Thing” will be facing his biggest named opponent in his career – Alistair Overeem. Looking ahead to this fight, advantage goes to Lesnar: He has fought some of the best in the division and learned from his losses, always evolving into a complete mixed martial artist and will look to make a statement again to the MMA community and his critics by upsetting the debut of Overeem.
ALISTAIR OVEREEM – Suffering career losses at light heavyweight to: Chuck Liddell, Shogun Rua, Lil Nog and others, the Dutch fighter switched gears, became bigger and has since terrorized the heavyweight division in numerous promotions. Possibly the best striker at 265lbs, he also prefers to submit opponents and has demonstrated numerous times why he is regarded as one of the best in the world. Fighting for the UFC for the first time in his career, it will serve as a tough opening against Lesnar. Despite his opponent’s small pro MMA career, he cannot look past him as he will be hungry for a win and is more athletic and faster than Overeem. Defeating theNorth Dakotawrestler will be huge for the career of Alistair and his confidence, putting him on a fast track to UFC gold. Whether Cain or JDS, the former Strikeforce and DREAM champion will be able to give either man a challenge and could very well be UFC heavyweight champion.
When the dust has settled and the next heavyweight championship is determined, it would not be surprising to see: Cain Velasquez v Brock Lesnar II. This time around, the outcome could be chalked up again with Velasquez winning by strikes but Lesnar will have focused all his attention in striking defense and wrestling offense. If Lesnar can get him to the ground and implement his will and sheer strength, Brock may be champion again by summer 2012.
