Golden Glory agrees to ZUFFA pay methods; Alistair Overeem willing to sign with UFC
Posted on August 11, 2011, 01:35 PM by Joey Santosus
Amid rumors of bad blood and backwards business dealings, Golden Glory has released a statement today in hopes of shedding some light on the situation and possibly patching things up ZUFFA.
Following last week's abrupt release of several high-profile Golden Glory competitors, including then-Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion Alistair Overeem, UFC President Dana White explained the decision as one inspired by conflicting business practices between ZUFFA and the fighter's management team.
"The way that they do business is, you have to pay them - not the fighters. We don't work that way. It's not the way we do business and it's not how it works here in the United States with the athletic commissions," White insisted in a recent interview.
According to Golden Glory co-founder and trainer Bas Boon, however, the camp is not only willing to conform to ZUFFA's standard payment methods, but their client, top ranked Heavyweight contender Alistair Overeem, would like to sign an exclusive deal with the UFC:
"We did not have a choice and never said we would not fight in the future or that we would refuse to work like this in the future (we worked out that problem with the Zuffa lawyer in the Vancouver and even agreed with their new sponsor policies). Maybe there is a miscommunication and Dana was not well informed that the direct payment issue was solved and no longer an issue as I myself have been in and out hospital for two weeks because of heath issues ( the reason why this press release is so late).
Anyway we regret the response from Zuffa and the releases, but it is their company and they can do what they want, we would like to keep working in the future with the UFC and with this statement I clearly say that direct payment to any of our fighter was not a problem and will not be a problem in the future. We just want to be able to produce great fighters and create great fights for the fans, we have no intention for Co-promotion deals and are even willing to make an exclusive deal for Alistair Overeem to fight in the UFC, if the terms are right." - (For complete statement, visit FightersOnlyMagazine)
Overeem was released just days prior to his training partners after pulling out of his scheduled bout with Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva. Though rumors swirled that the Dutchman's withdraw from the fight was part of a hard-ball negotiation tactic, Overeem has since taken steps to verify the legitimacy of his injuries and expressed a desire to join the UFC roster.
"The UFC is where the top guys are, so that's my ultimate goal, to become the UFC champ," Overeem stated in an interview with HDNet. "There's two people currently ranked above me and they're both in the UFC. So, of course I want to go to the UFC. I want to fight the top competition and these guys are there."
Though White has discussed signing the current K-1 and Dream Champion in the past, exclusivity was likely the primary roadblock in reaching a deal. And while Boon appears hopeful that the two parties can reach a resolution, it would seem the ball is now in ZUFFA's court.
Further Reading: Marloes Coenen refutes Dana White's claims regarding Golden Glory payment methods
Comments
It seems that Overeems' cut from SF paid off!
like we didn't know this was gonna happen
exactly, seceretive little plan worked between dana and overeem. overeem fights the winner of JDS and Cain in january. sorted.
Reem "playing the game"
Dana "playing the game"...
After the release of the Reem, I expressed on this forum that Dana/Zuffa intended from the outset to bring him into the UFC. I was weaked multiple times...Guys, the Reem is a money-maker, being extremely popular in Holland/Europe, Japan/Asia, and North America...I fount it hard to believe that he would be irrevocably cut for a simple payment procedure that can be worked out...
I'd be considerably more worried about Cain and JDS personally - only time will tell I guess.
Possibly. Those two are a huge threat. I can see either one beating anyone.
yeah.... I can completely see why he thought what he thought on the UFC tactics all Dana had to do was explain to Reem instead of not saying anything and just fire the heavy weight champ right when he refused a fight do to injuries that he had doctors prove and I wouldnt put it passed
Dana to still be using it as a ploy for the negotiation.... but Reem in the
UFC is win win for all alot better pay for Reem and huge draw on PPV's plus Reem finishes fight...except the last fight ...lol...but was the 1st in the last 15 fights will be great to have him in UFC just hope he doesnt get the curse
everybody at some point gets weaked, even if are or end up being correct, its best just to ignore it, gloating about how right you were to the peeps that weaked you, usually get you weaked again. you just have to take the punches and roll with them.
David, he got weaker because he actually cares about getting weaked. Most posters with real lives don't care.
I funnied you TJ, cause your right I did know I would get weaked, lol
I REALLY hope that Overeem makes his way to the UFC. I've been wanting to see this guy in against the best for a long time. A good first fight for him would be Cheick Kongo.
overeem vs JDS all night! cain all day! too excited about this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8u7px_GzWQ
that was funny as hell
And THAT is how you put biatches in place!!! Hands down to Dana LOL
Sweet... They should give him the loser of CAIN vs JDS for the nr.1 contender spot !!!
Or maybe he should fight low comp first, to make sure hes ready for Cain/JDS comp.
That wouldn't make any sense... how are you gonna put the last Strikeforce heavyweight champ and K1 champ up against lower competition in the UFC while Nick Diaz is getting GSP.... The Reem is a bigger name, bigger draw and accomplished more than Diaz.. So it really would not make any sense. He deserves a shot at at least the Nr.2 ranked UFC heavyweight... if he wins let him go for the belt.. if he loses, let him work his way back up.
Diaz cleaned out his division in SF... Overeem didnt
easy because had overeem actually defended those belts he could have lost them. i mean i don't give a damn who has a belt.i care who defends and keeps their belts.overeem refused to defend his belt he begged to fight in a tournament so he wouldn't have to defend his belt. everytime he wins a belt he takes off so he won't have to defend it..i don't consider overeem a true champion.
bring on the weaks im ready for them :)
Overeem fought in SF how many times? 3 right? and this being against Paul B. (irrelevant i know) Brett Rogers, yea Fedor destroyed his chin, and Werdum, which Werdum out struck him and hes a kick boxer! Overeem doesnt deserve a direct at the title, as well i dont think Diaz does, but Cain has a fight right now, GSP cleaned his division out so Diaz was the last choice. Overeem should have to fight someone like Kongo or Mir imo maybe the winner of Big Nog/Shaub.
Idk there arent really any number one contenders in the UFC HW division rite now, Mir/Carwin/Lesnar all just fought for the title not to long ago so if Reem does come to the UFC I would like to see him unify the belts right away
everytime i see you profile pic, I think of Undefeated Of The West, he had the same one i belive ssj2 gohan
Hahaha i thalt his was different but yea ive been watching it so much later had to change it to that!
Mad props to Alistair Overeem for wanting to fight most of the best HW fighters in the world.
Like a lot of us would say, " Money makes the World go round."-------->> 0__0
a possible overeem vs velasquez fight in the future, bombs will be getting dropped.
It really seems like Zuffa and GG just came to an agreement about how they could sherk contract responsibilities and get Alistair over to the UFC. The next week should be interesting, also to see what might happen with Coenen and Einemo.
maybe shogun can fight him and kick his ass again
Good news hope to see reem fight in the UFC soon.
I knew this would happen, Overeem has stated publicly more than once now that he would leave K1 and Dream behind to fight for the UFC, he just wouldn't do it for SF 'cos in the UFC he will be fighting the best in the world, not so in SF even though they are both under the Zuffa umberella. I guess this means that they may re instate Coenen (to SF) and Einemo, i hope so anyway as they didn't deserve to be cut. Some great fights to come now @ HW, i see Overeem doing well in the UFC, he's difficult to take down and has awesome strength and striking, as well as thunderous leg kicks. I'll bet Dana has had a large part in sorting this out to get Overeem into the UFC, can't wait for his first match up now!......
can you read TJ? i put (to SF) next to Coenens name....(sigh)...take your time and read things properly man before you jump all over your keyboard!...
Makes perfect sense, Reem has proved himself in K-1 and Dream. Plus K-1 was on a verge of bankruptcy 6 months ago so Reem's future and pay are uncertain if he were to stay in k-1 and Dream doesn't have the competition caliber that Reem wants.
Thus, go with the UFC where hes gonna make 100k plus a fight and he gets lots and lots of publicity, if he dosen't loose in the UFC then he becomes a millionaire and a legend.
It's about time! I can't wait until Overeem smashes what Dana and all of his fanboys consider "the best heavy weights of the world." Now let's just hope that Big Foot, Barnet, and Kharitonov make the transition too.
Oh and btw, why do most of the people in here regurgitate what Dana White has to say?
because what Dana has to say happens to be in important, it's qiute simple really, he owns and runs the biggest MMA corporation in the business. If you love MMA you would have to be pretty stupid to ignore what he has to say.....: )
I hope the UFC sign Overeem. The heavyweight division needs all the competition it can get.
If they, do, my bet is they will give him a fight with someone who isn't a top 5 contender. Not too tough, but still challenging enough that, if he wins, the UFC can give him a title shot and get a big pay day.
Where did all the conspiracy theorists go that said Zuffa was lying about the contract issues and just wanted to kill SF, and Alistair was the only one telling the truth?
Why? Because it's been pretty obvious that the situation was as this article states ever since Alistair started contradicting himself and Zuffa welcomed a public discussion of the matter. But they were in denial.
In all the past threads they were all over it, trolling arguing and calling conspiracies... and now it's funny that they are nowhere to be found when it's confirmed that they are delusional.
Damn dude ... surprised anyone else can get a post in at all with you in here. Go right a book bro.
I thought the Coenen check was kind of weird actually. Showing that she was paid in the past doesnt really prove anything aside from what Zuffa said - that they insisted on paying fighters directly.
What would have proved Zuffa wrong is evidence that GG never had payment disputes.
But obviously the payment disputes were real as Alistair indicates in this press release that it was not addressed until recently in Vancouver. So that kind of makes Coenen look silly for speaking up with that at all.
I told you we were missing part of the story and I would have never thought that this was it. Im happy I didnt jump to any conclusions.
No... They said they would sign an exclusive contract... There is only one type of exclusive. What they said was "if the terms are right."
HW division in all of MMA isnt in the best shape atm honestly. You have to beat the best to really be called the best, and the fighters are spread too thin. UFC has JDS and Cain looking amazing, Reem has looked great in most fights aside from his last, you got Bigfoot looking pretty good too, but the problem is these guys need to fight each other. Too many wins are over "arguable" fighters such as Brock, Carwin, etc... none of the heavyweights are "really" proven.
JDS for example, biggest wins being Carwin, Nelson, Gonzaga, Crocop, Werdum - but aside from Werdum (arguably he was #10 HW at the time) those are not really fighters that were considered the "best of the best". Not to say JDS didnt look amazing in those fights, but any fighter needs some real big names under their belt to become fully credible.
Cain is the same deal - biggest win being a flash KO of Big Nog or Brock... but Nog sadly hasnt been in top form lately and hasnt looked too good since the Couture fight (I hope he looks good in Rio though!) and Brock has been arguable since the beginning.
Even Alistair - he been around a long long time, but in the last 4-5 years he hasnt defeated any of the top HW's past Werdum, which leaves him in the same boat as JDS.
Hopefully we see all these fighters clash and we will see who really is the top HW's. I know I'm looking forward to JDS vs Cain to see who is the real deal, winner of that will move way up in my personal rankings.
Just to clarify something for my above post, when I say they are not "best of the best" - I mean at the time period he fought them. Becuase we know Cropcop was one of the top guys back in the day and for a breif period Gonzaga was considered much higher in the charts. But that's not the period they were at when JDS fought them.
Well MMA is a Zuffa world more now then ever, you remain a small show fighter or you kneel.
Maybe with all this non-stop coverage Dana finally just got Reemed out ..
wauu, what a suprise
The payment method was never the issue here. Dana White is an *diot and a control freak, that's all. I hope he leaves the sport - for the good of anyone involved.
I crack up when I see thinks such as " a real KO artist" or " he has KO power" all of the heavyweights have knock out power...some hit harder but they all have the ability to ko each other very easily. If ur over 205 u got KO power the weight behind those punches alone have ko ability
Dana better let Overeem fight K-1 or there will be NO contract.
Injuries? Wow, Fedor breaks his hand and doesn't fight for a while and people go crazy saying "He doesn't fight much." I personally think Overeem will be a bust in the UFC. I think Cain, Dos, and Carwin for sure can beat him. Mir would lose to him and so would Brock, if he comes back.
sign all 3 back
match em tough
match em often
scout GG for up and comers
and let bygones be bygones