The stage is set for the biggest MMA event of the year. The baddest man on the planet and the demolition man on the biggest stage of them all, as former UFC Heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar takes on former Strikeforce Heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem in a battle of two of the biggest men in the sport at UFC 141. It has been more than a year since Lesnar was last in the octagon, and the anticipation for his return is even stronger with the fact that he is taking on an opponent with just as much to prove, and a UFC Heavyweight title shot on the line in a fight where Overeem will be the sports betting line favorite.
UFC 141: Lesnar vs. Overeem
(5-2-0) Brock Lesnar vs. Alistair Overeem (35-11-0)
MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
UFC Betting Line: Alistair Overeem – 135
When Lesnar lost his belt to Cain Valasquez at UFC 121, he was already battling an illness that had prevented him from being at top form in more than a year, before eventually relenting to have surgery to battle diverticulitis. Meanwhile, Overeem has dominated in both Strikeforce and Pride, but he now gets his shot to prove what he can do on the biggest stage of them all, in the UFC.
UFC Betting Preview: Brock Lesnar
Prior to losing his title at UFC 121, Lesnar looked dominant as one of the rising stars in the sport, with four straight wins to his name. Lesnar won the title with a TKO win over MMA legend Randy Couture, and then did the same thing to Frank Mir in even less time in his first title defense. But where Lesnar really caught people’s attention was against Shane Carwin at UFC 116, as he managed to survive a beating from his opponent in the opening round, before locking in an arm triangle choke in the second round to finish the job in a way that many didn’t think he could. As time has gone by, the former WWE star has become even stronger in MMA, and with his return to full health, this could be the best we ever see him at.
UFC Betting Preview: Alistair Overeem
There is no denying that Overeem actually comes in to this fight with a stronger resume based on the amount of top competition he has faced and beat, but the problem here is that he may not have faced the same caliber of fighters he will meet in the UFC. A string of nine straight first-round wins has to be taken with a grain of salt considering that Gary Goodridge and Tony Sylvester won’t be fighting in the UFC anytime soon, but at the same time that gives Overeem something to prove. Lesnar is a former champion who many feel can become the champion once again now that he is healthy, and it is up to Overeem to now prove he belongs in that same class of fighter.
UFC Betting Preview: Outlook & Pick
For as impressive as Overeem’s career has been to date, lets hold off on selling him as the favorite according to the online sportsbooks numbers until he proves that he belongs in the UFC. Lesnar has looked pretty dominant in fights against guys like Mir and Heath Herring in the past, and now that he is back at 100-percent, he will look to prove that he deserves his title back.
UFC Betting Pick: Brock Lesnar