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The heavyweight division in combat sports has always produced some of the most legendary fighters. Despite never fighting in the UFC, Fedor Emelianenko is considered by many to be the best heavyweight to have ever competed in mixed martial arts. ‘The Last Emperor’ was able to put together an iconic winning streak in a weight class in which it’s incredibly difficult to do this. In regards to the UFC, Stipe Miocic, who retired last year, holds the record for the most consecutive title defenses. However, there’s another icon who doesn’t get the credit he deserves in the opinion of his former opponent. Alistair Overeem believes Fabricio Werdum was underrated As a veteran of over 65 pro MMA bouts, not to mention his extensive kickboxing career, Alistair Overeem has taken on the vast majority of the top names of his era. The Dutch legend recently spoke to Bloody Elbow while being in attendance for Brave 100 fight week in Bahrain, with the event taking place later today (November 7). When Overeem was asked in an exclusive interview who he believes his most underrated opponent was that he faced in his storied career, one name came to mind. Former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum, the man who ended Fedor Emelianenko’s incredible win streak, is one of the best fighters in the history of the division. With wins over the likes of Cain Velasquez, the Brazilian submission specialist has some incredible accomplishments to his name. Overeem, who faced Werdum in Pride, Strikeforce, and the UFC, believes that his former foe deserves even more respect than he gets. “I think maybe Werdum even though he did become champion. I think he was somebody who kind of went under the radar before, during he was there and then after he also disappeared on the radar but he was a formidable opponent. Extremely intelligent.”
