Despite contract, Overeem thinks title is next
With three straight wins over the past year, UFC fighter Alistair Overeem is a far cry from the position he was in just 15 months ago.
Even though his current contract is reportedly done, Alistair Overeem thinks there’s a title shot in the near future.
With three straight wins over the past year, Alistair Overeem is a far cry from the position he was in just 15 months ago.
In fact, Overeem (40-14 MMA, 5-3 UFC), by virtue of an upset TKO of former champ Junior Dos Santos (17-4 MMA, 11-3 UFC) in the UFC on FOX 17 co-main event on Saturday, could be next in line for a shot at the heavyweight title.
There’s one thing that could stand in the way of it, though: Right now, there are no assurances Overeem will be in the UFC to finally get a crack at the title if it comes. It’s been widely reported that Saturday’s fight against Dos Santos was the last on Overeem’s current deal.
Heading into the fight, Overeem said he wasn’t thinking about what will need to happen at the bargaining table.
My focus has been on this big fight, Overeem said at the post-event news conference after h is win at Amway Center in Orland, Fla. My entire focus was on it. When my entire focus is on training, I just do 100 percent that and nothing else. This is the new reality. I’m going to have to look at what’s going on, and I’m actually looking forward to it.
I do think a title shot is there. I’m very confident with the team and the people around me that we could pull that off. But let’s negotiate and see what happens.