• UFC 141

Overeem will get the Frank Mir treatment - Lesnar

ESPN staff
December 20, 2011
Brock Lesnar talks Alistair Overeem

Brock Lesnar was as understated as he has ever appeared during Monday's UFC 141 conference call, but he did promise to beat Alistair Overeem "to a pulp" as he did Frank Mir at UFC 100.

Lesnar returns to the Octagon for the first time in over a year on December 30, taking on Strikeforce heavyweight king Overeem. The winner will book a shot at UFC champion Junior Dos Santos.

The high profile bout has been shrouded in controversy, with Overeem forced to conduct a series of tests after failing to provide a drug sample on time. However, the kickboxer has predicted that he will knock out Lesnar inside two rounds, a suggestion that momentarily amused the former UFC champion.

"If I go in and execute my game-plan, then I am winning this fight. That's the bottom line here," Lesnar said.

"Overeem says he is knocking me out in two rounds. Well, I am glad he has the ability to see the future. That's his dream. On Friday December 30 his dream will be over."

Operating from a WWE background, Lesnar has been extremely outspoken in the past, but the modern version of the monstrous heavyweight appears to be grounded in humility following a serious brush with diverticulitis. Lesnar had no desire to make any grand statements about being the best he's ever been, but he did predict a painful night for Overeem.

"Look, I've had a great camp. This is the best I have felt in years and lardy-lardy-da… I could go through all the clichés about how in shape I am but the fact is, I know myself and my own body and I know that I am back.

"I am 100%. I am as fast, as strong and as explosive as I've ever been and you're going to see the same guy who beat Frank Mir to a pulp at UFC 100.

"I've trained for five round fights for all my UFC fights, even before I fought for the title. And I defended my title two times against top guys, training for a five round fight. But this isn't going five rounds. I promise you that."

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