makavelli
19-08-2005, 18:31
Alistair Overeem
By Alexandre Lobo
Pride GP's outsider
Over the semifinals of Pride GP Middleweight, which takes place on next August 28, Alistair Overeem will be the only fighter that no speaks Portuguese. However, this fact does not bother Dutch guy, who does not think himself as the favorite to the title, but he promises to do some damage at Brazilian party. Training with one of the Holland ground specialist Martijn de Jong, striker Overeem surprised the whole world over the first phases of the GP, when submitted all his opponents by guillotine choke. During an exclusive to team TATAME, Alistair Overeem talks about his wishes to this tournament and how he has been training for it.
Everybody knows you as a striker. But, since last year, you're appearing also as a good grappler, who has won ADCC European trials. Who is your ground teacher and how do you feel fighting on the ground nowadays?
Martijn de Jong is my ground coach. And I prefer striking. This however is not always possible.
After your loss to Rogério Minotouro on December 31st, people wondered if you would be at Pride GP card. You were called and now you're proving you deserved it, being one of the four best fighters in the world at Middleweight. What did you change in your game since then? Anything changed or that loss to Rogério was just an accident that happens to fighters?
I was ill before the match. witch affected my preparation to that fight. Lost power in a couple minutes witch Nogueira (the brothers who I respect very much) took advantage of.
Next August you'll be the only foreign fighter with three other Brazilians in Pride GP semifinals. Brazilians are considered some of the best fighters in the world. How do you feel about being in such group? Do you consider yourself the favorite fighter to take this Pride GP belt?
I'm not considers the favorite fighter, but I'm gonna change that ;)
What do you think about the possibility of facing Wanderlei Silva in your first fight of the day? Both of you are strikers and known by your powerful knees. How do you intend to beat him?
Simply: I will defeated Silva with a flying knee at 0.3 seconds into the fight
Tell me about your fight with MaurĂ*cio Shogun.
Well, Shogun has about the same fight style like me. Also a very interesting fight and will be I expect, standing as well on the ground. I'm looking forward to face Shogun as I stated in my interviews.
And Ricardo Arona?
Ricardo Arona is a grappler with some standing skill. This fight would be interesting and would be about who could impose his fight style upon each other. I will be well prepared when I face Ricardo Arona
Does anything change for you having to do two fights in the same night?
My training will change a little, nothing else
Holland is known for its amazing performance at K-1, holding eight of nine GP titles. Why don't Dutch fighters repeat this performance at Pride? Do you think things are changing with your great performance at this GP?
The ground fighting level was the problem. However nowadays the level of grapplers all over Holland is staggeringly going up. Thanks to all the Brazilians black belts teaching BJJ over here.
Fighters usually don't like to take their wives to the shows, but you took your wife on last two Pride rounds. What's the importance of your wife on your career?
Haha, I knew this question was gonna come... It is my secret, and it will stay my secret ;)
Bron: http://www.tatame.com
By Alexandre Lobo
Pride GP's outsider
Over the semifinals of Pride GP Middleweight, which takes place on next August 28, Alistair Overeem will be the only fighter that no speaks Portuguese. However, this fact does not bother Dutch guy, who does not think himself as the favorite to the title, but he promises to do some damage at Brazilian party. Training with one of the Holland ground specialist Martijn de Jong, striker Overeem surprised the whole world over the first phases of the GP, when submitted all his opponents by guillotine choke. During an exclusive to team TATAME, Alistair Overeem talks about his wishes to this tournament and how he has been training for it.
Everybody knows you as a striker. But, since last year, you're appearing also as a good grappler, who has won ADCC European trials. Who is your ground teacher and how do you feel fighting on the ground nowadays?
Martijn de Jong is my ground coach. And I prefer striking. This however is not always possible.
After your loss to Rogério Minotouro on December 31st, people wondered if you would be at Pride GP card. You were called and now you're proving you deserved it, being one of the four best fighters in the world at Middleweight. What did you change in your game since then? Anything changed or that loss to Rogério was just an accident that happens to fighters?
I was ill before the match. witch affected my preparation to that fight. Lost power in a couple minutes witch Nogueira (the brothers who I respect very much) took advantage of.
Next August you'll be the only foreign fighter with three other Brazilians in Pride GP semifinals. Brazilians are considered some of the best fighters in the world. How do you feel about being in such group? Do you consider yourself the favorite fighter to take this Pride GP belt?
I'm not considers the favorite fighter, but I'm gonna change that ;)
What do you think about the possibility of facing Wanderlei Silva in your first fight of the day? Both of you are strikers and known by your powerful knees. How do you intend to beat him?
Simply: I will defeated Silva with a flying knee at 0.3 seconds into the fight
Tell me about your fight with MaurĂ*cio Shogun.
Well, Shogun has about the same fight style like me. Also a very interesting fight and will be I expect, standing as well on the ground. I'm looking forward to face Shogun as I stated in my interviews.
And Ricardo Arona?
Ricardo Arona is a grappler with some standing skill. This fight would be interesting and would be about who could impose his fight style upon each other. I will be well prepared when I face Ricardo Arona
Does anything change for you having to do two fights in the same night?
My training will change a little, nothing else
Holland is known for its amazing performance at K-1, holding eight of nine GP titles. Why don't Dutch fighters repeat this performance at Pride? Do you think things are changing with your great performance at this GP?
The ground fighting level was the problem. However nowadays the level of grapplers all over Holland is staggeringly going up. Thanks to all the Brazilians black belts teaching BJJ over here.
Fighters usually don't like to take their wives to the shows, but you took your wife on last two Pride rounds. What's the importance of your wife on your career?
Haha, I knew this question was gonna come... It is my secret, and it will stay my secret ;)
Bron: http://www.tatame.com