Strikeforce GP: If Alistair Overeem Wins, Where Does He Rank in the UFC?

Alistair Overeem has looked like a completely different fighter since winning the Strikeforce heavyweight championship.

Gone is the skinny light heavyweight kick boxer who lost to big names like Chuck Liddell, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira.

Today Overeem is more bulked up and looks unstoppable.

But has Overeem really changed from his Pride days? Or is he just the product of easy competition?

Although Overeem has not loss since 2007, the fighters he fought are a who’s who of journey men, fighters past their prime and young fighters who were far from ready for Overeem.

Overeem’s ranking in the heavyweight division is often low because of this.

Overeem has a chance to move up tonight when he takes on Fabricio Werdum.

Werdum shot up the rankings after he beat MMA Legend Fedor Emelianenko last June. Werdum also beat Overeem five years ago in Pride.

A win over Werdum, as well as winning the whole tournament would make should quiet some of Overeem’s doubters. But how would he rank among the UFC’s best?

Overeem has the size to match fighters like Shane Carwin and Frank Mir. He may also have the skill to beat them if he can avoid Carwin’s hands and Mir’s submissions.

Overeem can also beat up and comers like Brendon Schaub with ease.

But I believe he could fall to fighters like Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos. I believe these two are the very best in the world. Although Overeem is a versatile striker, I believe dos Santos is more technical and Velasquez has more options with his wrestling.

Overeem is a talented fighter and deserves to fight the best heavyweights in the world. Once he does that then we can really see where he ranks among the best.

His road to proving he is the best starts tonight.