BADR HARI VS. ALISTAIR OVEREEM #2 Revenge Battle : K1 WGP 2009 - Semi final Yokohama - 05/12/2009

STORY BEHIND THE BATTLE #2: BADR HARI VS. ALISTAIR OVEREEM
Yokohama, December 5, 2009
Badr Hari vs. Alistair Overeem

It all started with an arrogant and young Badr Hari, entering the ring at an MMA event in japan, where he called out any MMA fighter to step into the ring with him. He told the audience that this hugging and kissing is nothing, “K-1 rules, stand up fights, real knockouts”. Watch the video below, to see how it all started.

Alistair Overeem thought, Badr showed no respect for MMA Fighters and accepted the challenge. Eventually they agreed to do one fight on K-1 rules and another fight on MMA rules. Alistair Overeem was a monster at that time and Badr absolutely underestimated Alistair’s power and striking ability. He remembered Overeem back in the days as a young kickboxer and wasn’t impressed at all. Watch their first bout on K-1 rulesbelow.

You watched it as is it happened, a totally unexpected win from Alistair Overeem. He scored two knockdowns in the first round against one of the best kickboxers in the world. Eventually Badrdidn’t want to fight the second fight on MMA rules, because he knew, he could never win that fight. Alistair decided to continue with kickboxing and wanted to compete at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2009. The biggest kickboxing event with the most prestigious Heavyweight belt on the line.

Alistair had to qualify him self by winning from K-1 legend Peter Aerts, at the K-1 World Grand Prix Final 16. Alistair won by unanimous decision and Badr destroyed Zabit Samedov by KO in the first round. Eventually they both qualified themselves for the tournament. The video below, shows you the Press Conference before the K-1 World Grand Prix Final, including the final 8 best kickboxers in the world. Tune in at 12:00 to see Alistair and Badr talking to the press.

So Badr decided to put a lot of preasure on himself, by promising the fans to knock Overeem out in the first round. A crazy promise after the beating he got from him, at the Dynamite event in 2008. Badr had to move up in weight to come a little closer toAlistair’s superhuman powers. The MMA vs. kickboxing aspect made this fight extremely big, plus the fact that this fight was going to be a rematch. The final element, was the promise of Badr, during the press conference. Get to know the ending of the story, by watching the video below.