Alistair Overeem Targets UFC Japan In September For His Return
Alistair Overeem has had a tough time making his name in the UFC; the former K-1 champion did TKO Brock Lesnar in his debut back in 2011, but straight losses to Antonio Silva and Travis Browne left the giant Dutchman in desperate need of a win. That win came at UFC 169, in the form of a unanimous decision against Frank Mir.
It would also be difficult to reflect on Reem’s UFC career without mentioning how he got busted for roids in 2012, so there that is. Now looking to win back some fans, it looks like Overeem will go back to where he made his name; Japan. The UFC is planning a return to the Mecca of MMA this September, and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta says that ‘The Reem’ wants in:
“Alistair is looking to return in September,” Fertitta said to ESPN. “We haven’t finalized it yet, but he’s expressed an interest in fighting in Japan. I don’t know if we’ll have a spot on the card for that, but I would expect him to come back in that time frame.”
Once home to the biggest MMA organization on the planet, the Japanese are no strangers to the sport, and welcome back their heroes of that era with gusto. Overeem fought for years in Pride FC and Dream before going stateside to try and break the UFC, and perhaps this will bring back ‘The Demolition Man’ of old.
Yet to have anyone named for the September event, the UFC could make a rematch with Mark Hunt for the old school fans. ‘The Reem’ submitted Hunt back in Dream, in 2008, and the ‘Super Samoan’ has since expressed his interest in avenging the loss. Perhaps the bout with Junior dos Santos that never came to fruition could go down in the Saitama Super Arena of September 20.
Currently recovering from an elbow surgery following his win over Mir (and subsequent call out of Brock Lesnar), it appears that the former Strikeforce champion will look to go back to his roots in MMA when he eventually returns.
