Sunday, May 16, 2010 | 2:05 a.m.
It took Alistair Overeem more than two years to defend his Strikeforce heavyweight division title.
Overeem proved the layoff had no negative effect Saturday night at Scottrade Center in St. Louis. Overeem (33-11, 13 KOs) knocked out contender Brett Rogers (10-2, 9 KOs) less than four minutes into the fight to retain his belt.
“It’s been a while, but I’m back,” Overeem said on the Showtime telecast. “I’m the champion of Strikeforce, and I’m not going anywhere. I’m here to stay.”
In November 2007, Overeem grabbed the vacant Strikeforce heavyweight title by beating Paul Buentello. But the Amsterdam native disappeared from MMA circles following the victory and focused on his kickboxing career overseas.
When Overeem announced the fight against Rogers, he promised a first-round knockout. That conclusion was never in doubt as Rogers landed merely one punch before Overeem got him on the ground.
“I was in the best shape of my life and I think this fight proved it,” Overeem said. “I wanted to finish the fight like I do all my fights. I wanted to prove myself.”
Rogers looked helpless as soon as he hit the mat in the octagon. Overeem stood over him and landed a combination of elbows and knees for about a minute before switching over to punches.
Overeem wailed away, connecting on multiple shots to Rogers’ head before the official stepped in to call the fight.
Immediately afterward, Overeem called out Fedor Emelianenko, widely considered one of the best fighters in the world, and pleaded for an upcoming bout.
“His management declined to fight me tonight, respect to Brett because he stood up and wanted to fight me like a man,” Overeem said. “Now, I think it’s Fedor time.”
Emelianenko (32-1, 9 KOs) faces Fabricio Werdum next month and, barring a stunning upset, a face-off with Overeem should follow.
Rogers gained notoriety in his last bout for sticking with Emelianenko for nearly two rounds before he was knocked out. Overeem’s victory against Rogers was much more decisive.
In the card’s top supporting bout, Antonio Silva beat Andrei Arlovski by unanimous decision.
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