5 Reasons Why Winner of Brock Lesnar vs. Alistair Overeem Deserves a Title Shot

At UFC 141, MMA’s biggest draw Brock Lesnar will take on former Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem.

Lesnar will be returning from a second bout with diverticulitis while Overeem will make his highly anticipated UFC debut.

The huge heavyweight match-up may be just as big, if not bigger than the heavyweight title match between Cain Velasquez vs. Junior dos Santos.

Although some fans may not like it, the winner of Lesnar vs. Overeem should get a shot at the winner of Velasquez vs. dos Santos.

Here’s are the reasons why they deserve a title shot. 

A Win for Either Fighter Is Worth More Than a Win over Other Heavyweights

If Lesnar picks up a win over Overeem, it means he’s defeated another former world champion and one of the best strikers and most experienced heavyweights the UFC would have.

Although some may think a win over Lesnar wouldn’t mean much for Overeem, the win would mean he defeated a former UFC champion in his first UFC fight.

It also means he would have finally defeated a top heavyweight.

A win for either man would be a more a legit win to push them towards a title. 

The UFC Heavyweight Division Is Low on Top Title Contenders

Let’s face it.

There’s a big gap between title contenders, gatekeepers and rising stars in the heavyweight division.

The fighters outside of Velasquez and dos Santos with the best UFC records right now are Matt Mitrione, Travis Browne and Mike Russow; it could be argued that none of the three are ready for a title shot just yet.

Frank Mir could make a strong case for a title shot if he defeats Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 140.

Both Roy Nelson and Shane Carwin are coming off of two straight losses.

Besides Mir and Noguira there isn’t really anybody who could make a strong case for a title shot. 

Lesnar and Overeem Are Very Marketable Right Now

Lesnar has been MMA’s biggest draw since entering the sport.

Overeem on the other hand has been one of the biggest MMA stars outside of the UFC.

Overeem was champion of multiple organizations including kickboxing organization K1.

With Lesnar you’re just about guaranteed a million pay-per-view buys.

Overeem may not be able to pull those numbers, but he has international appeal thanks to being Dutch and fighting in Japan for much of his career. 

(If Lesnar Wins) He Was Close to a Title Shot Before He Got Hurt

Before Lesnar fell ill again, he was scheduled to face Junior dos Santos in a title eliminator match.

Not much has changed since Lesnar left.

The only thing that would really be different is by the time Lesnar and Overeem fight, either Cain Velasquez will have won his first title defense or Junior dos Santos will be waiting to defend the title for the very first time.

Either fight would make sense for Lesnar.

Lesnar would want to get back at the man that took his title as well as get a crack at the guy he coached against on The Ultimate Fighter. 

(If Overeem Wins) Other Former Strikeforce Champions Have Gotten Title Shots

Both Jake Shields and Nick Diaz gave up their Strikeforce titles to fight in the UFC.

Shields fought in one match before fighting in a title fight, while Diaz was given a title shot right after signing with the UFC before screwing himself out of it.

Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez will most likely receive a title shot whenever he comes to the UFC.

Overeem, like these former/current Strikeforce champions, is riding a long winning streak.

Although Overeem may not have faced the same amount of competition that other UFC fighters have, with the way the heavyweight division currently looks, that may not even be an issue.