Alistair Overeem is 40, and on his final march towards the UFC heavyweight title. He TKOed Walt Harris in May, and at UFC on ESPN+ 34 on Saturday night, put on a brilliant display vs. Augusto Sakai, stopping him in Round 5. ‘Reem didn’t try to win every second of every round, but instead paced himself, tiring his opponent, and then repeatedly executing less-than-conventional takedowns out of nowhere, and unleashing a vicious ground and pound.
Throughout, Derrick Lewis offered his services as an online judge for the contest.
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At the post-fight press conference, Overeem was asked about fighting “The Black Beast” next.
Definitely, but Derrick Lewis is just talking crap, replied Overeem, as transcribed by Ryan Harkness for MMA Mania. My teammate Curtis [Blaydes] is going to destroy him, and I’d be happy to do that after Curtis. Curtis first.
Prior to his two-fight win streak, Overeem lost to Jairzinho Rozenstruik with four seconds to go in Round 5. It was the lastest KO in IFC heavyweight history. And Overeem was ahead on the judges’ scorecards 39-37. 39-37, and 40-36.
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Rozenstruik had no way to win but a stoppage, and he got it, and Overeem is not impressed. Without the last (4) second KO, Overeem would be on a five-fight win streak.
Rosenstruik, I destroyed that man, I schooled him, said Overeem. In my opinion it was a very bad decision by the ref, waving it off with zero seconds left. I have no problem running that back. In my mind. I already beat him. It’s only on paper that he kind of got it, and he knows it too. So no problem running that back.
So which fighter – Lewis or Rosenstruik – does Overeem want more?
No preference,” he replied. “Well, you know what my preference is? Quality time with my girls. I miss them, camp is gruesome, separated for eight weeks, I kind of do that on purpose to get extra hungry, extra motivated. So for now I’m gonna fly back early tomorrow, spend some quality time with them, and then we’ll figure it out.
Overeem, who has been fighting professionally since 1999, has said wants to have four more fights, reaching an even 70 before retiring. He also says he thinks he needs maybe one more fight before a title shot.
#1 contender Francis Ngannou is next for division champion Stipe Miocic. And Jon Jones has relinquished his light heavyweight belt and UFC president Dana White is open to Jones debuting in the division with a title shot, after Ngannou’s rematch. ‘Reem’s training partner, #2 ranked Curtis Blaydes fights #4 ranked Derrick Lewis at UFC on ESPN+ 43 on November 28. So #3 Rosenstruik rematching #5 Overeem with a great backstory appears to be the fight to make.
What do you think UG? Who do you want to see Alistair Overeem fight next? And what do you think happens?
