Tips for Ben Edwards vs Alastair Overeem

[Steve P]

Guys,

With Ben Edwards drawing Alastair Overeem, we have an Aussie upon on the international stage with K1.

There is a helluva lot of experience in this forum in the sport.

How about we help out a fellow Aussie, and drop some advice for this fight.

What are the strengths of Overeem to be avoided?
What are the opportunities that others have found that Ben should test?

Here's a recent highlights for Alastair
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nxXbCz1SAM

What are the thoughts?

[JWP]

Step 1: Punch him in the head
Step 2: Dont get punched in the head
Step 3: repeat steps 1 and 2.
Easy.

[jabout]

ROFLMAO

[chicano]

LOL and that is exactly how I expect the fight to be. Whoever follows JWP's advice most closely, particularly No.2, will win.

For Ben I honestly think his best chance is to jump on him early, just like Ben does in all his fights, try and rock him early and never give Overeem a chance to settle in. If he does settle in then Overeem is a smarter fighter than people give him credit for. But he can be dropped and Ben has cement hands, so throw em while they're fresh!

Either way I dont see it getting out of the first round. Someone is getting knocked out, it is K1 GP after all lol, lets just hope it's Overeem on his back.

[GUVNER]

Step 1: Punch him in the head
Step 2: Dont get punched in the head
Step 3: repeat steps 1 and 2.
Easy.

Hahahaha Thats the game plan!

[Voice]

Maybe also throw a few taunts in at the stare down about him being a neanderthal gorilla. That should turn it into a purely boxing fight.

[dtedee]

Dont need to say anymore than has been said - Ben just needs to go at him hard from the start, hit him hard then keep it up - I think Ben will do a good job

[Steve P]

Step 1: Punch him in the head
Step 2: Dont get punched in the head
Step 3: repeat steps 1 and 2.
Easy.


Is it my eyes playing tricks, or is that the plan you have on the whiteboard behind you and Dip when you fought Zambidis?
http://www.imagebucket.net/bucket/is.php?i=8462&img=Fight_Plan.jpg

[pan]

Just get fit enough that you can hit hard for the three rounds.
Alastair is a great figther but ben has big hands. My advice, bomb him from the start and see how he goes when one is on his chin.

[razor]

Overeem is an animal no doubt about it looking at his link on you tube but have also seen alot of fights where good fighters or the smarter ones dont give him time to get confident or settle.
good hard sharp boxing from the get go will have him F#$kd and ben you got good hard sharp boxing skills so go in hard and fast from the second the bell goes you got phenominal power in your hands bro and i know you will beat him if you do that for sure.
God bless ya man and i hope you get the crown.

[Steve P]

I found this clip of Alastair working on his wicked leg kicks. I tried to embed it but it didn't work for me. If anyone else wants to have a crack at it, knock yourself out. This is seriously wrong. I wonder if he learned his moves from the Matthew Newton School of Manners.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXG96znYv1Q

[Ausmat]

The only advice I can think of is control your nerves and use that energy, fight your fight Ben. Our thoughts are with you, you have proved all ready that you are capable of anything, enjoy yourself mate!
Cheers

[Mr_Macedonia]

Edwards will win by KO or TKO I think.

[Hironaka]

Get off first. It's a simple as that really.

[Booga]

Exactly wat hiro said!!
It's just like sex :D :D

[Hironaka]

Get off first. It's a simple as that really.

Should probably expand a little on this. I can never remember Overeem counter-punching his way to victory, he excels at cutting off the room that his opponent has to stick and move by bullying them with his size and strength. Lots of holding, lots of pushing.

In their first fight, Hari was too tentative. Almost reluctant to engage. In the second, he was a lot more aggressive, beating Overeem to the punch on every ocassion and we know how that turned out.

For Ben to win, he needs to meet Overeem in the centre of the ring and make sure that he doesn't get bullied around. Throw first and throw hard. Alistair is actually quite predictable with when he is going to throw and he likes to come in with a 1-2, stays in the pocket and tries to counter, then clinch-knee-release-follow up if he can.

If you can beat him to the punch first then he is definitely vulnerable.

[Voice]

For Ben to win, he needs to meet Overeem in the centre of the ring and make sure that he doesn't get bullied around. Throw first and throw hard.

does Ben ever fight any other way?

[Steve P]

Overeem,

A great fighter, a lot of respect for him, but definately beatable.

Any fighter who tries to do the traditional boxing duck move gets an early shower. Alastair in round 1 appears to stalk and throw single shots looking - sussing out the defence.

In the fight with Poturak he brings in the step up knee, brutally, when he adopts a low stance. If Ben is upright, the knees shouldn't be a drama for his chin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqLCK0qcxrU&feature=related

In the "Ultimate Lowlight Reel" (below, why you would make a lowlight??) it showcases a few fights when Alastair has been bettered. There are a few chinks in his armour, one is pressure fighting, then his low left guard at range. Examples are:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFsU0aW99WY


0:23 - Pressure fighting Tyson style hook/uppercut combo off the right hand, around his left hand guard had him stumped.
1:50 - Horsepower with overhand right from Mark Hunt, around LH guard.
2:30 - Badr Hari with a Jab feint followed by a bowling right hand around the LH guard.
6:55 - 7:20 - flailing hands Tyson style - pressure boxing - he had no answer.
7:40 - Horsepower overhand right around the left guard
10:40 - Bowling right crosses from Chuck Liddle get around the left hand guard.

When you see Alastair - in close - he will have a tight guard, but mid range it lowers. I only had a look at the stand up striking on this, the ground fighting ain't relevant. And if I saw Ben Edwards knock him out with a spinning heel kick, like you see in this clip, I reckon I'd fall off my chair.

Alastairs defence against low kicks is sound, he will check or step away using his speed. As Ben's strength is his hands (particularly his right) I think Alastair will try and stay out of range and attack the legs like we have seen before. Ben has got to close the gap, chin down, workrate up, pressure fight and walk away with a big future.

Go Guv.

[Mojoman]

Pretty much what everyone else said..pressure pressure pressure. Don't let Overeem set otherwise he'll pick Guv apart. Overeem likes the stepup knee too, a straight right down the line as he's coming in would be a nice shot.

[humble]

Hi Ben. I have been seriously thinking about this. I wish you and your trainer the best. I know you're doing your work.

I mean no disrespect to you or your trainer and hope you can take this in the light it is meant, ie an outside observation.

I really like the excitement Overeem brings to the competition.... big monster looking guy who is pretty agile and has good knees.
But, no way I like him more than you.
From his outset years ago on to the scene, I always viewed Overeem as a very cautious fighter..... otherwise known in colloquial Aussie slang as a Pu55y. :) He fights in a very 'scared' type of way. This isn't a problem and is actually good if you have a skill set to match but I do believe his psychology make up is reflected in his fighting style whereby he covers up like he's being bullied as soon as someone makes any attack. His covering up really comes across as an intimated type of style. His constant need to express how good he is also reflects this.

Anyway, what I am getting at is you will notice he protects his head at all costs. Really covers up well but being so big, he has a really hard time closing his arms into an effective 'boxing' style guard. He is therefore very open down the middle.
I sincerely believe with your power and pressure as well as reach you can scare the **** out of him with bombs from the outside, always stepping off to your right, away from his power hand and then coming up the middle with an uppercut. Watch the vid Shiv posted recently of him beating that guy and you can see clearly how open in the middle he is. This is a recurrent theme in all his fights. He can't close the middle gap.

All your jabs should be aimed at his upper chest, as he cowers down to protect himself as a reaction, they will find their mark on his chin and nose and if not, will hit his chest which will add to his breathing demise as we know he gasses when things don't go his way.

Aim everything straight down the middle, always stepping off to the right after your combo's, away from his power hand and try as much as you can to finish your combo's with uppercuts as he is very vulnerable.

Best of luck to you my friend and let him feel every Australian's punch behind you!
Go get em Guv!

[Hayds]

Your a good bloke to have in the corner Humble

[humble]

Your a good bloke to have in the corner Humble
Cheers Hayds.... made my day..

Wish I could fight as well as I observe things lol. :D

[Steve P]

Your a good bloke to have in the corner Humble

+1, great observations.

[MichaelSchiavello]

Humble some good observations there mate, well done.

That said: I wouldnt rely on Overeem gassing so much. I don't see him gas at all in many fights. He went the distance with Remy Bonjasky and didn't gas, also with Aerts and didn't gas, so Ben dont count on Overeem gassing. He has been training in Thailand for this fight in the heat and humidity so I think his tank will be very good.

Anyway, we will see in a few days! Just stay out of range of his knees, mate... it's a double-edged sword: to get into range to let go of your KO punches you also have to get in range where Alistair can grab you and knee you. This is the BIG danger... but I'm sure you guys have been working on that in training.

Good luck Ben!

"The Voice" Michael Schiavello

[TomS]

From what I've seen of Overeem, his step up knee is usually him going forward and stepping in or throwing them after a 1-2 punch setup.

He doesn't tend to throw the knees from a standstill/backwards position on the counter when the puncher is coming in to bomb, which would be more of a danger if he were proficient in that respect.

It shouldn't be too much of a problem for Ben to stalk him down and fire those bombs in his hands. He'd just need to stand tall when going backwards and not lean forward for the invitational knee.

I'm really looking forward to this fight now. Not long to go and Ben definitely has the potential to take it out.

[chicano]

I'm sure Ben and Jamie have watched a lot of tape and have a game plan that they feel very confident in. This has been a dream of Ben's for a very long time and I'm sure he will give it 110% and wont die wondering.

I dont think going down the middle is the best move however. And going right consistantly is going to give Overeem a big chance to get the back of the head for a chance at a knee. Not smart..... Behind or on Overeem's left ear is the place to get him and Ben has the punch to do it. Overeem rolls to the middle well and then looks to place the glove over the back of the head for the big Kaboooooosh. (Knee) If you can avoid it his left ear is waiting.

It' going to be an epic fight!

[Steve P]

Yes and No Chicano. Always going to the right is predictable and round one for Overeem is all about testing your defence, strengths and opportunities. However, to stay outside the guard, and away from Overeem's main gun, that is where he should try and fight from. It will also give a shot at that left ear around the left guard. Good point on the ear. A lot of people think that a KO comes from the point of the jaw, most come from the sudden imbalance/pressure in the ear canal.

I just hope he doesn't go too wild attacking the ear. It didn't work for Tyson.

[chicano]

Except that in K-1 GP there is very little feeling out period. If someone can knock your block off in the first 20seconds, they will!!!!!!

Perfect for the Guvner.

[Hironaka]

Except that in K-1 GP there is very little feeling out period. If someone can knock your block off in the first 20seconds, they will!!!!!!

Perfect for the Guvner.

Perfect for Overeem as well.

[MichaelSchiavello]

Yeah, um, Overeem doesnt have a first round feel out process. Dude just goes in for the kill. You dont feel out in K-1 and especially not against Overeem. You just get ready for the storm to hit and look for the opening to HIT FIRST or COUNTER STRIKE and make sure you land on target

"The Voice" Michael Schiavello

[Steve P]

I just had a look at -v- Aerts and -v- Hari 2009 again (the first round). I don't see him going in for the kill. He will bully, he will try and throw an opponent down from the clinch, he will try and bring in the knee early to test the defence, he will try and throw the bowling overhand. He will have a go, but no more than anyone else at that level. He is throwing single shots, with low hands, and doesn't like it when an opponent fights back. You are ringside so would have a better view than me looking at it through a 3 " Youtube screen, but I don't see him going for the kill. My idea of 'going for the kill' is early Tony Torcasio. When the bell sounded - he just got unleashed, and would literally sprint at the other corner to have a go. He wasn't there for the purse or the win, but the fight.

[humble]

I'm sure Ben and Jamie have watched a lot of tape and have a game plan that they feel very confident in. This has been a dream of Ben's for a very long time and I'm sure he will give it 110% and wont die wondering.

I dont think going down the middle is the best move however. And going right consistantly is going to give Overeem a big chance to get the back of the head for a chance at a knee. Not smart..... Behind or on Overeem's left ear is the place to get him and Ben has the punch to do it. Overeem rolls to the middle well and then looks to place the glove over the back of the head for the big Kaboooooosh. (Knee) If you can avoid it his left ear is waiting.

It' going to be an epic fight!

Footwork 101, no matter what discipline is move away from their power hand. Orthodox opponent, means stepping to your right after your attack/defense, resetting your footwork and being in prime position ie to the opponents weaker side to push forward.
If they're southpaw, then opposite of above.
Moving to the opponents power side set's you up for the power hand, opens you up by putting you square in the middle ready for a shot and a shot where they are in perfect range to release their assets, namely a right punch, a right knee or right kick. It also allows the switch kick off the left as the back leg is exposed and allows the switch knee. Being off to their left put's you out of range and a small step over and then forward is enough to tie them up.

You watch amateur orthodox fighters always do the exact opposite and get caught every time.

[chicano]

It is 101 at a lower level and against fighters with a limited technique. But with someone like Overeem who has seen it all or say a guy who has boxed 200odd Am fights, you have to mix it up a little more than that sort of tactic, or you end up being undone by your own strategy. And there is nothing new about blunting an opponents hands by suffocating their big shot. Mike Tyson and Marciano used it all the time.

[humble]

It is 101 at a lower level and against fighters with a limited technique. But with someone like Overeem who has seen it all or say a guy who has boxed 200odd Am fights, you have to mix it up a little more than that sort of tactic, or you end up being undone by your own strategy. And there is nothing new about blunting an opponents hands by suffocating their big shot. Mike Tyson and Marciano used it all the time.

Suffocating or walking straight on to it?

Overeem hasn't seen it all. Despite his agility, he is fairly flat footed. Angles and footwork is what will beat him easy, hence the step off.

Each to their own, we're debating for the sake of it now. I've said my bit.

[MichaelSchiavello]

If it was that easy everyone would be beating Overeem.

"The Voice" Michael Schiavello

[TomS]

Or just better drug testing :p

[Hironaka]

Footwork 101, no matter what discipline is move away from their power hand. Orthodox opponent, means stepping to your right after your attack/defense, resetting your footwork and being in prime position ie to the opponents weaker side to push forward.
If they're southpaw, then opposite of above.
Moving to the opponents power side set's you up for the power hand, opens you up by putting you square in the middle ready for a shot and a shot where they are in perfect range to release their assets, namely a right punch, a right knee or right kick. It also allows the switch kick off the left as the back leg is exposed and allows the switch knee. Being off to their left put's you out of range and a small step over and then forward is enough to tie them up.

You watch amateur orthodox fighters always do the exact opposite and get caught every time.

I know that we are talking about different levels of striking, but when Takanori Gomi went on his murderous run in Pride in 2005, his footwork was flawless. Like some serious next level stuff. You hear people say footwork = power all the time, but I think that very few people actually practice it.

[Steve P]

I know that we are talking about different levels of striking, but when Takanori Gomi went on his murderous run in Pride in 2005, his footwork was flawless. Like some serious next level stuff. You hear people say footwork = power all the time, but I think that very few people actually practice it.


Spot on. The most powerful punches are almost a muscle ripple starting at the feet. Even better, moving forward and getting the whole forwards body motion behind the punches. I was watching a well known pro heavyweight boxer spar recently and was amazed at how flat footed he was. He was all muscle, and putting all his power into each shot. All you heard was grunt-grunt-grunt with him exhaling heavily with each punch. But flat footed, even with the hook. All that bad footwork dramatically cut his punching power. Lucky he had some upper body strength to back up his shots I guess.

[thamask]

Don't no if this has been posted before. http://player.vimeo.com/video/14989158?title=0&amp

[humble]

^ nice vid... just as a point. See how he freezes when Badr is attacking him in the second fight and it just so happens Badr falls off to the left of him which puts him in prime position for the first knock down. I don't know if it was a subconscious effort from Badr going to his left or it was accidental from the movement or planned but the point being, it is a perfect example of what works.

Hiro, very true about Gomi's footwork.

Ali the great never looked like he was expending much energy with his punches as compared to the sight of someone like Tyson, Ike Ibeabuchi, Tua, etc but his power was devasatating and it was solely because of his prime position and amazing footwork.

Steve, I remember punching the lights outta a guy in one of my fights and it did nothing to him. Then on the back foot, I braced myself properly and let out a quick jab in the fashion you describe and when I watch the replay, I noticed it is exactly as you write, a ripple effect of a punch and that small looking punch rocked him when my hay makers were doing nothing, even though they caught him flush many times.

It only takes a round of sparring against a professional boxer who has footwork to realize how up sh1t creek you are in comparison, despite your awesome power if they have great footwork.

One of the best boxers of our time to demonstrate this is Yuriokis Gamboa. Phenomenal footwork with devastating power but appears to be slapping pads when he fights lol. Amazing fighter.

[Hironaka]

One of the best boxers of our time to demonstrate this is Yuriokis Gamboa. Phenomenal footwork with devastating power but appears to be slapping pads when he fights lol. Amazing fighter.

Big thumbs up for this.

[Ausmat]

I agree with this too, you have to watch Gamboa's fights twice the second time to appreciate the incredible footwork. Awesome