Alistair Overeem: No Gym Beef, Expects Title Shot in NYC
Alistair Overeem: No Gym Beef, Expects Title Shot in NYC
Alistair Overeem talks his upcoming bout with Andrei Arlovski and reveals he expects a title shot with win in Rotterdam.
By Peter Carroll
There are many people that believe Alistair Overeem will take another step toward being the greatest combat sports athlete of all time with a win over Andrei ‘The Pitbull’ Arlovski on Sunday night.
Between kickboxing and mixed martial arts, there are few, if any, of Overeem’s peers that can rival the trophy cabinet he has assembled throughout his years as a competitor. A former Strikeforce and Dream champion, the decorated striker also won the K-1 Grand Prix in 2010.
Fighting in the Netherlands, a country he moved to when he was six years old where he also took his first steps into combat sports at the age of 15, "The Reem" is adamant that a victory over Arlovski will set up a title fight for him at UFC’s groundbreaking show in Madison Square Garden on November 12.
“I’ve had a lot of big moments throughout my career, but I’ve got to get through this (fight) successfully,” Overeem said. “I know I will. After this one comes the big peak of my career. November 12 in Madison Square Garden I expect to be fighting for the title. Of course I’m not over looking this one on Sunday. I will win this fight."
When asked if UFC had confirmed that a victory would lead him to a championship bout, Overeem nodded affirmatively. The hometown heavyweight claimed he “would possibly agree” that if he did manage to obtain the UFC strap that he would mark himself out as the greatest cross platform combat proponent of all time.
“I go off of what I want to do and I’m missing one belt," Overeem said. "I’ve competed and have had a lot of success in different organizations, but I think that UFC gold is the one that is missing. I don’t fight for money. I fight for belts. I do have the belts. I’ve got the knockouts, the submissions and all of the other stuff. I’ve got the highlight reels too, so I could possibly agree with that statement.”
Despite the heady heights that Overeem stands to achieve with a victory, the alleged rift that took place between him and fellow Jackson/Wink charge Arlovski has taken center stage in the Dutch city.
According to former heavyweight champ Arlovski, Overeem “put the spot on” Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn, which led to the infamous coaching duo choosing to corner ‘The Pitbull’ on Sunday night. Yet, when asked about the situation, Overeem was adamant the relationship between him, his coaches and his other teammates couldn’t be better.
“I never asked anyone to pick between, they made that decision," Overeem said. "Honestly, I’ve been training for a long time as you know, 22 years, and it is very mellow (in Albuquerque). Nobody has a problem with nobody. I am very much loved in that team. I get along with everyone.
“Now, with Andrei, maybe he’s the only one who has a little problem with me, but other than that I get along with everybody. They miss me. I miss them. We’re always laughing and joking around and it’s the same with the coaches. They’ve got to do what they want to do. I like them so much that I give them the freedom to do that.”
Despite the resurgence that both fighters have enjoyed under the Albuquerque banner, Arlovski stated that they have only previously sparred each other on two occasions. Without getting into specifics, the former K-1 champion insisted that he did gain some insight from the little time they have moved around together.
“I learned a lot," Overeem said. "I adapt quickly. I kind of know what to expect, but I’m sure he is working on a surprise. I adapt very quickly to situations and I’m sure that’s going to work to my advantage.”
A man who has made some of MMA’s best striker look mediocre, Overeem seems confident that the same outcome could transpire in the Ahoy Rotterdam in two days time. He also revealed that he expecting Arlovski to have “a big surprise” for him in their main event meeting.
“You know, he’s good," Overeem said. "In his last few fights he’s definitely got some knockouts. I’ve got to careful for that X-factor, the big surprise, but other than that I don’t think it’s going to be a problem. I’ve made a lot of great strikers look like beginners. I never like to make those predictions, but as long as I have both hands raised, I’m going to be happy.”
There are many people that believe Alistair Overeem will take another step toward being the greatest combat sports athlete of all time with a win over Andrei ‘The Pitbull’ Arlovski on Sunday night.
Between kickboxing and mixed martial arts, there are few, if any, of Overeem’s peers that can rival the trophy cabinet he has assembled throughout his years as a competitor. A former Strikeforce and Dream champion, the decorated striker also won the K-1 Grand Prix in 2010.
Fighting in the Netherlands, a country he moved to when he was six years old where he also took his first steps into combat sports at the age of 15, "The Reem" is adamant that a victory over Arlovski will set up a title fight for him at UFC’s groundbreaking show in Madison Square Garden on November 12.
“I’ve had a lot of big moments throughout my career, but I’ve got to get through this (fight) successfully,” Overeem said. “I know I will. After this one comes the big peak of my career. November 12 in Madison Square Garden I expect to be fighting for the title. Of course I’m not over looking this one on Sunday. I will win this fight."
When asked if UFC had confirmed that a victory would lead him to a championship bout, Overeem nodded affirmatively. The hometown heavyweight claimed he “would possibly agree” that if he did manage to obtain the UFC strap that he would mark himself out as the greatest cross platform combat proponent of all time.
“I go off of what I want to do and I’m missing one belt," Overeem said. "I’ve competed and have had a lot of success in different organizations, but I think that UFC gold is the one that is missing. I don’t fight for money. I fight for belts. I do have the belts. I’ve got the knockouts, the submissions and all of the other stuff. I’ve got the highlight reels too, so I could possibly agree with that statement.”
Despite the heady heights that Overeem stands to achieve with a victory, the alleged rift that took place between him and fellow Jackson/Wink charge Arlovski has taken center stage in the Dutch city.
According to former heavyweight champ Arlovski, Overeem “put the spot on” Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn, which led to the infamous coaching duo choosing to corner ‘The Pitbull’ on Sunday night. Yet, when asked about the situation, Overeem was adamant the relationship between him, his coaches and his other teammates couldn’t be better.
“I never asked anyone to pick between, they made that decision," Overeem said. "Honestly, I’ve been training for a long time as you know, 22 years, and it is very mellow (in Albuquerque). Nobody has a problem with nobody. I am very much loved in that team. I get along with everyone.
“Now, with Andrei, maybe he’s the only one who has a little problem with me, but other than that I get along with everybody. They miss me. I miss them. We’re always laughing and joking around and it’s the same with the coaches. They’ve got to do what they want to do. I like them so much that I give them the freedom to do that.”
Despite the resurgence that both fighters have enjoyed under the Albuquerque banner, Arlovski stated that they have only previously sparred each other on two occasions. Without getting into specifics, the former K-1 champion insisted that he did gain some insight from the little time they have moved around together.
“I learned a lot," Overeem said. "I adapt quickly. I kind of know what to expect, but I’m sure he is working on a surprise. I adapt very quickly to situations and I’m sure that’s going to work to my advantage.”
A man who has made some of MMA’s best striker look mediocre, Overeem seems confident that the same outcome could transpire in the Ahoy Rotterdam in two days time. He also revealed that he expecting Arlovski to have “a big surprise” for him in their main event meeting.
“You know, he’s good," Overeem said. "In his last few fights he’s definitely got some knockouts. I’ve got to careful for that X-factor, the big surprise, but other than that I don’t think it’s going to be a problem. I’ve made a lot of great strikers look like beginners. I never like to make those predictions, but as long as I have both hands raised, I’m going to be happy.”