Overeem and Arlovski are in the main fight in Rotterdam. Photo: Disclosure
The UFC will make its long-awaited debut in the Netherlands, highlighting two major duels. The two most important fights of the event in Rotterdam, this Sunday (8), will pit athletes from the organization's highest category face to face, with a lot of important things at stake.
Home fighter, alistair overeem is going through a great phase in the UFC, with three consecutive victories (including a recent knockout over junior gypsy). However, the duel in Rotterdam could be definitive in the Dutchman's trajectory, especially due to extra-octagon factors.
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Coincidence or not, Overeem achieved victories in the UFC from the moment he began training with renowned coach Greg Jackson. From then on, the giant began to act in a more cerebral manner, avoiding risks and obtaining safe results.
It turns out that Overeem's opponent in Rotterdam will be Andrei Arlovski, who is also a Jackson student. The two fighters do not have a close relationship and barely train together, but the team commander chose to stay in Arlovski's corner, with whom he has worked the longest.
Precisely for this reason, Overeem will have a golden chance to show the world that his evolution goes beyond Jackson's command. If he defeats Arlovski, the Dutchman could resume his partnership with his coach and become an even greater threat for the category belt.
Brazilians among the other highlights
Pezão (photo) tries to recover against Struve. Photo: Disclosure/UFC
The second most important fight of the night will represent quite an opportunity for Antonio Pezão. Former heavyweight title challenger, the Brazilian is going through a difficult time, with four defeats, a draw and a victory in his last six fights. Thus, Pezão will possibly face a fight to kill or be killed against Stefan struve.
The Dutchman, the tallest athlete in the UFC at 2,13 m, also wants to use the opportunity against Pezão to recover. In his last four fights, Struve lost three, and during this period he was out of action for a long time due to a heart problem. Precisely for this reason, the duel could give survival to the winner and bring complicated consequences for the defeated.
The fight night will also bring two of the most intriguing athletes in the welterweight division face to face. Gunnar Nelson, training partner of Conor McGregor, will try to make good use of his ground game against the promising Albert Tumenov, who has won five in a row (three by knockout).
Finally, the event will feature two more Brazilians: Francimar Bodão faces Nikita Krylov on the main card, and Yan Cabral faces Reza Madadi in the fourth fight of the night.
Check out the UFC Rotterdam technical sheet below:
DATE AND TIME: 06/05/2016, from 11:30 pm (Brasília time)
PLACE: Ahoy Arena, Rotterdam, Netherlands
STREAMING: Combat Channel
MAIN CARD
Heavy: alistair overeem x Andrei Arlovski
Heavy: Antonio Pezão x Stefan struve
Welterweights: Albert Tumenov x Gunnar Nelson
Roosters: Germain de Randamie x Anna Elmose
Light heavyweights: Nikita Krylov x Francimar Bodão
Straws: Karolina Kowalkiewicz x Heather Jo Clark
PRELIMINARY CARD
Mild: Rustam Khabilov x Chris Wade
Medium: Magnus Cedenblad x Garreth McLellan
Mild: Josh Emmett x Jon Tuck
Flies: Kyoji Horiguchi x Neil Seery
Welterweights: Leon edwards x Dominic Waters
Flies: Ulka Sasaki x Willie Gates
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