Dana White says Alistair Overeem could get title shot upon return
Posted on October 16, 2012, 06:01 AM by Andreas HaleAlistair Overeem will likely be next in line for a crack at the UFC heavyweight title despite not being in action for nearly a year.
UFC President Dana White spoke on Overeem's return fight to MMAFighting. "Yes, that's what we're thinking," White said after UFC 153 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. "We'll see how this thing plays out and what happens. Nothing is done. Nothing is etched in stone, but that's what I'd like to see happen."
With the heavyweight division thinning out and Overeem having already been the #1 contender after his TKO stoppage of Brock Lesnar last December, Overeem remains first in line depsite being failing a pre-fight drug test prior to his UFC 146 showdown with Junior Dos Santos. Overeem was subsequently suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission for a nine month period back in March after having elevated levels of testosterone. He's set to reapply for his Nevada license in December.
Although he has not seen the inside of the Octagon in almost a year, White has felt strongly about Overeem getting a shot at the title. There was talk of a Dos Santos-Overeem taking place on December 29 at one point if Overeem could have his hearing in front of the NSAC early,but that wouldn't be the case and the company moved forward with Dos Santos-Velasquez 2.
Comments
Way to really show fighters that cheating will be punished.
Just like any other sport. Making money comes before morals.
Starting to move from being a dana nuthugger to a real Dana hater!!!
You might be able to think of this as punishment. After that big a lay off, Overeem needs a tune up fight before facing JDS. He is going to be rusty and that is not good for his chances. Normally I would pick Overeem to stop JDS in the second or third round but if he comes back and fights for the title right away I might have to pick JDS via decision or even a second or third round TKO.
Punnishment is having Reem fight Herman and getting only his contracted Salary, not a million dollar plus title fight, that he will rake in.
With Overeem's chin? I doubt he'll even get to the 2nd round. Youtube his fight against Badr Hari. GLASS JAW baby
The same Overeem who was getting owned on the feet by Werdum? Beat Junior? Sit down sir!
Point taken but losing to JDS and having to start from the bottom is worse in my opinion.
what chemical was in his body that was illegal?
Dana is not in the business of morals and moralizing (athletic commissions do that); he's in the business of making the most money. Overeem is a huge draw not just in the US and Europe, but also and especially in Japan and Asian countries where he's known as the K-1 smasher...As long as the Reem gets clean and makes the necessary amends for his "steroid use," I don''t see any problem seeing him in the cage, vying for the UFC crown...Who doesn't like to see that specimen in the cage???!
I have said for a long time Dana only cares about money, he could get less about PED's as long as you dont mess up his show before it happens, Dana's public stance against PED's is just that a public stance
what did he test positive for?and he hasnt fought in over a year close to
2 to fight a guy in his prime body will be peaked not good for Overeem
so for all that hate on Overeem pretty sure you will get to watch him take a beating
in a year how much you think he makes....damn had to hurt a bit not to make that is a lot of money lost how many of us could go a month with out pay.....its a big deal in a way plus now everything said in the past must be true now so looks bad al around
What happen to Cain? wouldn't mind seeing Cain vs Werdum if this is the case.
I give JDS a huge edge on this fight.
Cain is still getting the shot, they are just saying that they might give Overeem the next shot at whoever wins from JDS-Cain 2. They must be desperate for a big money match if they are giving the shot to a guy who just failed a drug test....
Oh okay cool - I missed that.
Everybody wants to see JDS fight Overeem. Even JDS prefers to fighter Overeem. The heavyweights need a grudge match.
Anyway. Reem was a destroyer when he was still training in Holland. Just think what he can do with some proper training. I think the time off could be a blessing a in disguise.
As for cheating. We still don't know. What we do know that it happens in every sport. Seriously. Lance Armstrong and the entire US postal team were doing. I think most fighters in MMA do it they just know how to disguise it.
"As for cheating. We still don't know."
No, we do know. Other people getting away with cheating does not make Overeem's going outside the rules any less wrong.
If you care so much about the ethical side of MMA, limit yourself to watching "clean" fighters. I wanna see exciting matches...Overeem will be one of the most tested athletes and he would be stupid to use "steroids" again--that's if he cares about making a long career in the UFC...
"Overeem will be one of the most tested athletes and he would be stupid to use "steroids" again--that's if he cares about making a long career in the UFC..."
He just tested positive. Might want to wait til he actually passes a test before hanging off his sack again.
As for me caring about the ethical side: Every fight that takes place is supposed to be "ethical". Its why there is testing. When a fighter tests positive he should be dropped back down the latter as he was just proven to literally be cheating. Him getting a title shot when he returns proves that there is little detriment to a competitor going outside the rules. I don't support that.
@borealis 1972,
Would you say Phil Davis is a clean fighter?
What are you talking about; We still don't know ???
It happens in every sport, even lance did it !?
Overeem took testosterone in a shot, he didn't ask, the doctor didn't tell, so yea we still don't know.
It happens a lot yes, but don't talk like it's normal, most proffesionals don't take any banned stuff, does are the real man!
(former fan)
whats the point of training, fighting and winning if you wont get a shot at the title.... lets just all go and tatke Testosterone... this f*cking UFC is getting frustrating...
I bet if it would have been a middle name fighter Dana would have just crushed him.. bad.. very bad Dana...
Is he figthing Jones at LHW? Hard to keep on all that muscle without the juice I would imagine.
Sad. Not much more to say than that.
The guy has already lost his title shot and had to sit on the bench for 9 months. Hes done his time now lets make it his time. Striker vs striker this will be a great show!
It'll be very unfortunate if he gets a title shot immediately.
I dnt think its right for a fighter to be suspended for drug use and get a title shot afterwards. i think he shld first fight sum gd competition lyk Werdum or carwin then have a no1 contender vs D.C. Make him work for it