ST. LOUIS -- This is the Strikeforce live blog for Alistair Overeem vs. Brett Rogers, a heavyweight bout on tonight's Strikeforce: Heavy Artillery card.Overeem returns to Strikeforce to defend his belt against Rogers. This will be Overeem's first fight back in the Strikeforce cage since winning the belt against Paul Buentello in November 2007.
The live blog is below.
Round 1: Overeem stalks forward and Rogers backs up against the fence, feeling him out with a jab. Rogers tries to move into the clinch but the powerhouse Overeem tosses him to the mat effortlessly. Overeem follows Rogers to the mat, using short strikes in close before moving to side control. Overeem postures ip to get more space to strike and he almost allows Rogers to get to his feet. It's all Overeem so far. His strength is simply too much for Rogers. Overeem postures up and starts drilling Rogers with power punches. Rogers covers up and rolls to his side, which does little to discourage the onslaught from the Dutchman. Rogers is no longer fighting back, just absorbing punches, and "Big" John McCarthy has seen enough. This one is over.
Alistair Overeem def. Brett Rogers via TKO (punches) at 3:40 of round 1.
It was mildly competitive when it stayed on the feet, but a total mismatch once it hit the mat. The champ was just too big and strong for "The Grimm." In the post-fight interview Overeem says he's glad to be back in Strikeforce since it's "been a while." That's an understatement. Overeem asks for Fedor next, saying that the Russian's management declined the bout this time around. He praises Rogers for being "a man" and taking the fight. Now, he says, it's Fedor's turn.
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