5 Improvements Alistair Overeem Needs to Make After Last Defeat

Ever since Alistair Overeem took a vacation from his senses in his stunning defeat against Antonio “Big Foot” Silva, I have been wondering: “Why?”

Obviously, he thought Silva was nothing but a slow-footed, limited fighter.

But with a title shot on the line, why would anyone assume his victory was a forgone conclusion? Overeem’s perfunctory performance in the cage that night was nothing more than sheer arrogance. Ducking your head and bobbing and weaving only work when you make your opponent pay for missing, and Overeem didn’t do that.

Instead, Overeem seemed content to try to do his best Pernell Whitaker impression, and as we all saw, he’s no “Sweet Pea.” He was entertaining himself instead of trying to win the fight.

His bout against Silva was very winnable for him. But in that fight, watching him was like watching the New York Yankees warming up their third-string players. That’s something you just can’t afford to do against a big, powerful heavyweight.

Why would a fighter with so many weapons decide to put them aside in such an important fight?

All his previous titles are yesterday’s news. They mean little if he’s not going to choose the best tools from his considerable toolbox and put them to use.

The time for tall talk is over. From here on out, until he wins a title (and his post-fight drug test comes back clean), he’s a fighter with a 1–1 record in the UFC. His loss says more about him in the eye of the public than his victory over Brock Lesnar. That’s what happens when you lose on the biggest stage in the sport.

If Overeem wants to get that belt, he has to take one fight at a time, and he needs to make some obvious changes…  

Don't Get Cocky

It may be tempting for a fighter with the experience of Alistair Overeem to play around in the cage, but it’s also foolish. If anything, experience should have taught him by now that no one can afford to take any fight for granted.

Overeem needs to win, plain and simple. Instead of proceeding from false assumptions, he needs to plan his work and work his plan.

In short, he needs to start thinking like a technician and fighting like a challenger.

Against Travis Browne, Overeem has another opponent that might “seem” as if he is a full tier below him. If Overeem wants to confirm that, he must do so by destroying Browne, not clowning around with him.

People are going to be tuning in, waiting to see if he shoots himself in the foot, and who can blame them? The manner in which Silva dispatched him at UFC 156 nearly rendered his previous win streak null and void.

It would be wise if Overeem accepts this and uses it as motivation, fighting with the skill and energy that will be required of the moment.

Use Those Leg Kicks

Overeem has many tools, but perhaps one of the most overlooked weapons in his arsenal is leg kicks.

Granted, he could unleash some excellent kicks to the body, but Browne is going to be looking for any way to get this fight to the floor.

Browne is a big man who has a much greater chance of winning a decision if he keeps Overeem on his back. If he can catch one of Overeem’s body kicks, he’s got a gateway for a takedown.

Instead, Overeem could aim those kicks at the legs of Browne. They would do serious damage, and should Browne try to reach for one of them, that could bring his head down into punching range.

But above all, Overeem needs to turn Browne into a stationary target as soon as possible, and leg kicks could do exactly that.

Use the Clinch

Odds are, as the fight wears on, Browne is going to attempt to tax Overeem’s conditioning as often as possible. The smartest way for him to do this is by wearing on him in close quarters where many of “The Reem’s” long-range weapons will be useless.

Overeem needs to be ready to implement his clinch game to the fullest if he finds Browne pressing him against the cage. This will allow him to bring his knees and trip takedowns into play, two things he does very well.

Overeem can’t afford to embolden Browne in any way. Any place the fight lands, he needs to give Browne serious reasons for pause, and using his clinch game will do exactly that when they are up close and personal.

And should he find a home for one of those devastating knees, it may just win him the fight.

Don't Stand Still

Fighters who stand still for too long are but one step away from being taken down or assuming the role of punching bag. There is very little room for error when fighting with four-ounce gloves; standing still too often just makes a bad situation worse.

Footwork is one of the basic advantages Overeem will have over Browne, and he needs to maximize that advantage. When he wants, Overeem can be a very fast fighter, moving in and out of range easily.

When Overeem is moving well, he finds his offensive rhythm quicker, has more options in dealing with attacks and is more open to countering them with freedom.

Overeem needs to be moving all the time, employing feints and showing Browne angles. He needs to be the one leading Browne, not vice versa.

Adaptation

Perhaps one of the greatest advantages Overeem has over Browne is experience. He’s fought many different styles and along the way developed into a very well-rounded fighter.

He’s got the tools to box if Browne wants to brawl, grapple if Browne wants to keep it standing and so on. He needs to be ready to adapt to any situation, attacking Browne where he is weakest, not to mention keeping Browne guessing.

If he can do this, he will have a greater chance of catching Browne in transition, and that could see Overeem end the fight quickly.