Werdum blames Overeem for Strikeforce farce

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ESPN staff from http://www.espn.co.uk/ufc/sport/story/97562.html



Don't miss the latest ESPN UFC Podcast for a strong criticism of Fabricio Werdum v Alistair Overeem, plus an exclusive interview with Tito Ortiz

Fabricio Werdum has blamed a knee injury and Alistair Overeem for Saturday's lacklustre Strikeforce event in Dallas.

Werdum lost a disappointing decision in the Heavyweight Grand Prix quarter-finals, seemingly punished for a lack of Octagon control after he continuously threw himself to the mat, hoping Overeem would jump into his guard.

The Brazilian drew strong criticism for his performance, with Overeem insisting his rival "did not come to fight".

Werdum insists he was hampered by a knee problem though, and he also questioned Overeem's courage after the kickboxer intelligently refused to enter into a ground war with the jiu-jitsu specialist.

"If you look well, you'll see that my knee got out of place in the beginning of the second round," Werdum told R7.com. "It hurt so much, it was difficult to get up and it took a little of my focus. I will have an MRI scan and see whether it is serious and when I will be able to train.

"I should have had more faith in my stand-up, listened to [coach] Rafael Cordeiro. Strategically he (Overeem) was better. Perhaps, if I hadn't pulled the guard so many times, I would have won.

"He didn't want to go to the ground with me at all but it is an MMA fight, you have to do the ground game as well. I think it is funny that [opponents] call me to go at them and I do, but when I call them to the mat, nobody does."

[Matt Grubb]

he'd be kidding himself wouldn't he...

[Ash "Lottery" Woods]

I can't beleive that's a serious statement from Werdum.... Overeem could then retort it's MMA you gotta do the standup too.... what a ridiculous thing to say to the press.... shake allistairs hand congratulate him and move on!

[Taylor Culbertson]

Although Werdumb is an idiot, this fight made made my already heroic idolization of the great Fedor even more intense. Who else would have jumped in his guard throwing caution to the wind and going for the finish?

[Taylor Culbertson]

[Ash "Lottery" Woods]

Although Werdumb is an idiot, this fight made made my already heroic idolization of the great Fedor even more intense. Who else would have jumped in his guard throwing caution to the wind and going for the finish?

i'm a fan of werdum myself to be honest his ground game is fantastic but yer i have to agree fedor wouldn't give a fuck lol he'd be any position any time just bring it!

i've sold more of his walkout shirt then any of the others i have stocked!

[AJ Camacho]

He talks about his knee injury like it was an unfortunate accident. Overeem did that to you sucker, that's what you get for goofing around and prat falling while he throws knees.

[John Alighieri]

Wasn't he pleading for overeem to go on the ground before that knee injury ?

[Jack LaBarge]

The object of fighting is to win. Doesn't matter how you win. Its as long as you win. If your a smart person, strategy is the key to your success. So a fighter should fight to their strength and should NOT fight to the other guys strength unless you believe you're superior. Werdum just sounds stupid!!! If he wanted the fight to be on the ground. It was his his responsibility to take it there.

[Jay Chow]

I see his point though. Everybody is blasting him for having no "courage" to stand with Overeem, but the same could be said about Overeem not wanting to grapple with Werdum