Anderson Silva is arguably the greatest fighter in mixed martial arts history. But today he is 45, wants to fight on, and is 1-7 with one No Contest in the last eight years.
Alistair Overeem is 40, 7-5 the last five years, and on a two fight win streak as he heads into the main event fight vs. Alexander Volkov at UFC Vegas 18 on Saturday night. During a recent appearance on SCMP’s “Post Fight” podcast, ‘Reem told interviewer Andrew Whitelaw that he doesn’t want to end up like “The Spider.”
I’m still improving. Still getting better. It would be nice to get a win over Volkov, and inch evermore closer to the title shot, said Overeem. Because to be honest, I’m getting too old for this. So, we’ve got to hustle. We’ve got to close it out.
I don’t think it’s too healthy if you’re going to fight above 42. Everything until 42 is good, but you see it on Anderson Silva, right? You see it on the fighters. They’re getting a little slower and I just don’t think that is the way to go.
It’s been a crazy adventure. I realize that fully, but still going strong. I’m very happy I experienced it. I’m very proud. It’s exactly what I wanted and exactly what I was going for.
Overeem says his goal is to earn a title shot, win, and immediately retire.
This is the UFC’s top 10:
CHAMPION: Stipe Miocic
1. Francis Ngannou
2. Curtis Blaydes
3. Jairzinho Rozenstruik
4. Derrick Lewis
5. Alistair Overeem
6. Alexander Volkov
7. Ciryl Gane
8. Shamil Abdurakhimov
9. Augusto Sakai
10. Aleksei Oleinik
Ngannou and Miocic rematch in the main event of UFC 260 on March 27, 2021. UG, if Overeem wins on Saturday, what following fight could conceivably earn him a title shot?
