Tag: Alistair Overeem

These UFC veterans are in MMA, boxing and kickboxing action Oct. 3-Oct. 9

Check out which UFC veterans are in combat sports action this week.

The UFC is idle this week before another event at UFC Apex in Las Vegas for UFC Fight Night 212.

However, there are a number of MMA, boxing and kickboxing events taking place that feature many familiar names that have competed under the UFC banner.

From a hardcore fan-favorite welterweight to a legend of the kickboxing and MMA world, these 7 veterans of the global MMA leader are competing this week from Oct. 3-Oct. 9.

Check out the names and details about their bouts below.

Upcoming event information from Tapology.

Video: Alistair Overeem, Badr Hari have intense first faceoff ahead of kickboxing rubber match

Things were tame but intense when Alistair Overeem and Badr Hari faced off ahead of their highly anticipated trilogy.

Things were tame but intense when [autotag]Alistair Overeem[/autotag] and [autotag]Badr Hari[/autotag] faced off ahead of their highly anticipated kickboxing trilogy.

With their series tied at one, Overeem takes on Hari on Oct. 8 at GLORY Collision 4 from GelreDome Stadium in Arnhem, Netherlands. The pair will meet in a rubber match 13 years later after Overeem knocked out Hari in their first meeting in 2008 and Hari exacting his revenge one year later with a first-round knockout of his own.

Check out their first faceoff, which took place after Tuesday’s Glory Collision 4 press conference:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CfWJe-oopIZ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Watch the full pre-fight press conference in the video below.

 

New WES card revealed, ex-UFC star still headlining

The first WES card for Nottingham has changed quite a bit since the show was postponed to July, but an ex-UFC heavyweight is still in the main event.

The fledgling Wrestling Entertainment Series (WES) has announced its new card for its debut show in Nottingham, UK, and ex-UFC heavyweight Alistair Overeem is still in the main event — he just has a new opponent.

When the WES UK show was originally planned for June 4, Overeem was advertised to face Adam Scherr (known as Braun Strowman during his stint in WWE) to determine the promotion’s inaugural world champion. When that date fell through due to logistical issues around the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebration, the card was rescheduled for July 9, remaining at Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham.

It was reported at the time of the postponement that some of the talent promoted for the show would not be able to make the new date, and that appears to be the case as the card is now much different. The changes start at the top, with Overeem now slated to step in the ring against former Impact World Champion Moose.

Another title match pitting Lina Fanene (Nia Jax during her time in WWE) vs. C.J. Perry (Lana while in WWE) is a holdover from the original card. All other matches now being advertised are new:

  • Legion of Pain vs. BT Gunn and Kez Evans (World Tag Team Championship Match)
  • Steph De Lander and Anastasia vs. She Wolves (Women’s World Tag Team Championship Match)
  • Samuray del Dol vs. Lince Dorado
  • Dean Muhtadi vs. Damo Mackle
  • Eric Young vs. Zac Zodiac
  • Levis Valenzuela Jr. vs. Jody Fliesh

The last two matches on the above list will be shown on a free live pre-show, with all others airing on pay-per-view.

Overeem’s continued involvement is the most intriguing part of the event. The 42-year-old MMA fighter raised some eyebrows when he was first revealed as a headliner by the WES, given that he’s been outspoken about his disdain for pro wrestling in the past.

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The brainchild of Gzim Selmani and Sunny Dhinsa, known as the Authors of Pain while working for WWE and now calling themselves the Legion of Pain, the WES has a mission statement dedicating itself to becoming “a global brand in the sports entertainment and professional wrestling industry.” Tickets are on sale now, and the PPV will be available internationally through FITE.tv.

Alistair Overeem booked for kickboxing rubber match vs. Badr Hari at ‘GLORY: Collision 4’

Alistair Overeem will return to the kickboxing ring against a former rival.

[autotag]Alistair Overeem[/autotag] will return to the kickboxing ring against a former rival.

Overeem faces [autotag]Badr Hari[/autotag] on October 8 at GLORY Collision 4 from GelreDome Stadium in Arnhem, Netherlands, promotion officials announced Wednesday.

Overeem will tangle with Hari for a third time 13 years later. The pair met twice in 2008 and 2009, with Overeem knocking out Hari in their first meeting and Hari exacting his revenge one year later with a first-round knockout of his own.

Overeem, who parted ways with the UFC in 2021, signed with GLORY Kickboxing last June. The former K-1 world grand prix champion was scheduled to challenge heavyweight champion Rico Verhoeven at GLORY Collision 3 on Oct. 23 but withdrew due to injury.

Hari hasn’t won a bout since 2015. The former K-1 heavyweight champion took reigning champion Verhoeven to the brink twice but wound up suffering injuries in both bouts, which resulted in TKO wins for Verhoeven. He also suffered stoppage losses to Benjamin Adegbuyi, and most recently Arkadiusz Wrzosek this past September, a bout he was winning before he got clipped with a head kick.

Before Overeem returns to kickboxing, he will make his pro wrestling debut June 4 against former WWE star Braun Strowman.

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Alistair Overeem dissed pro wrestling. So why is he doing it now?

Alistair Overeem is a hypocrite about pro wrestling, and not even he can deny that with a straight face.

Alistair Overeem is a hypocrite about pro wrestling, and not even he can deny that with a straight face.

Overeem, a former UFC heavyweight standout and Strikeforce MMA champion, will headline the first Wrestling Entertainment Series event against Adam Scherr — better known as Braun Strowman during his time with WWE — on June 4 in Nottingham, England.

When the event was announced last week, it certainly raised eyebrows. Perhaps still because, even though it’s more common these days, a notable MMA fighter stepping into the ring will always make news. But in the case of Overeem, what about his disparaging remarks just last year about wrestling as a profession?

“So the thing is with that whole wrestling thing, I watched it when I was 8, 9, 10 years old — Hulk Hogan, Ultimate Warrior, huge fan of those guys,” Overeem said in an August 2021 interview on “The MMA Hour.” “Honky Tonk Man — great, funny. Andre The Giant. I stopped watching after that, so I’m not watching since ’92, ’93, ’94. And just recently I start looking again on YouTube, and oh my God, this stuff is lame.

“It’s just lame with all these guys that are doing it. It’s fake, it’s lame, it’s stupid, it’s gay, it doesn’t make any sense.”

MMA fighters hating on pro wrestling is nothing new. Hating on pro wrestling with some homophobia is the icing. Hating on pro wrestling with some homophobia and then signing on to do a pro wrestling match? Well, that’s just the cherry on top of this hypocrisy cake.

We’ll spare full-on speculation as to why Overeem is doing this wrestling match, but maybe you’ve heard about UFC fighters being grossly underpaid — and Overeem was released in March 2021. He’s done nothing since. And so, if it makes dollars … well, you know.

Overeem, who owns a 2011 UFC win over Brock Lesnar by TKO, obviously has little regard for pro wrestlers, the physical harm they put themselves in, and the effort it takes to master the craft.

Can’t imagine 6-foot-8, 385-pound Adam Scherr would appreciate this if someone told him. Overeem’s pro wrestling debut is as good as any time to learn what a shoot is.

Alistair Overeem injured, out of GLORY Kickboxing title fight against Rico Verhoeven

Alistair Overeem’s return to kickboxing has been pushed to next year.

[autotag]Alistair Overeem[/autotag]’s return to kickboxing has been pushed to next year.

Overeem has withdrawn from his title fight against reigning champion Rico Verhoeven at “GLORY: Collision 3” on Oct. 23 due to injury, promotion officials announced Wednesday morning.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CUrtow7IA3R/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Overeem took to Instagram to confirm the news and said that he’s been dealing with an injury for over a month. After trying to push through it, he ultimately decided it was best to withdraw.

“I deeply regret that I have to pull out of the fight against Rico Verhoeven,” Overem wrote. “I’ve never pulled out a fight before and trust me, this decision was hard to make.”

No replacement opponent for Verhoeven has been announced, and it’s unknown if the champion will remain on the card at GelreDome stadium in Arnhem, Netherlands.

Overeem was scheduled to compete in kickboxing for the first time since scoring a TKO win over Peter Aerts in the 2010 K-1 Grand Prix Final. The 41-year-old departed the UFC just days after a TKO loss to Alexander Volkov in February and although he’s not ruling out a return to MMA, Overeem told MMA Junkie in September that he’s planning on retiring from combat sports in 18 months.

You can read Overeem’s full statement on his withdrawal below:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CUr1KBggIEo/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

To the fans..

I deeply regret that I have to pull out of the fight against Rico Verhoeven Oct 23th.
I’ve never pulled out a fight before and trust me, this decision was hard to make. I’ve been dealing with the injury for over a month.
Two days before the press conference, a couple of weeks ago, I wasn’t even able to walk straight.
After some treatment I felt much better. And since I’ve never been a quitter, I wasn’t going to quit now. I went back in camp. But… the injury got worse again and I could not even fulfill a complete training session.
Yesterday my coaches, my medical team and myself had to make the decision to pull out.
Oct 23 I was suppose to give the fans a show! I wanted to make sure that everybody in the arena and the ones at home watching, got what they came for; an entertaining high level fight. Even if I was at 90% now, or 80% maybe even, I would have gotten into that ring. But I’m at 40% and that’s not enough.
Fighters get out there. We train hard, work hard. There’s a lot at stake. Our sport can get you injured. Not only in the ring, but unfortunately also in preparation.

I hope to get some understanding from you guys.
Will be back soon!

🥊 Alistair
@glorykickboxing

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Ex-UFC contender Alistair Overeem set to challenge champ Rico Verhoeven at GLORY: Collision 3

For the first time since his UFC departure, Alistair Overeem has a fight on the books.

[autotag]Alistair Overeem[/autotag] has his next combat sports assignment, and it comes in the form of one of kickboxing’s most notable names.

A former UFC heavyweight contender, Overeem is set to compete for the first time since his promotional release and subsequent signing with GLORY Kickboxing. At “GLORY: Collision 3,” Overeem will challenge champion [autotag]Rico Verhoeven[/autotag] for the heavyweight title.

The event will take place Oct. 23 at GelreDome, a 34,000-seat stadium in Arnhem, Netherlands. Overeem, 41, announced the news Monday on “The MMA Hour.”

Overeem departed the UFC days after a February TKO loss to Alexander Volkov. The loss was his second in four fights. Since 2010, Overeem has strictly competed in MMA. His last kickboxing bout was a TKO win over Peter Aerts in the K-1 Grand Prix 2010 Final. With that win, Overeem extended his kickboxing record to 10-4.

Verhoeven, 32, is regarded by many as one of the greatest heavyweight kickboxers of all time. He enters the match against Overeem with a 58-10 record and on a 14-fight winning streak, which includes victories over Badr Hari, Hesdy Gerges, Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva and, most recently, Tarik Khbabez.

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Scott Coker: Josh Barnett, Junior Dos Santos, Alistair Overeem among those in talks for Fedor Emelianenko

Plenty of hands were raised when Bellator announced Fedor Emelianenko is returning this October.

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – When Bellator announced [autotag]Fedor Emelianenko[/autotag]’s return Friday morning, a lot of hands went up according to promotion president Scott Coker.

While the announcement revealed Emelianenko (39-6 MMA, 3-2 BMMA) will fight Oct. 23 at VTB Arena in Moscow, the opponent has still not been decided. Following Bellator 261 on Friday, Coker was pressed on potential matchmaking options and revealed a few of the names he’s been talking to in recent days.

“Believe me, there is no shortage of opponents (for) Russia right now,” Coker said at a post-fight news conference. “Listen, the managers of all the free agents are calling. [autotag]Josh Barnett[/autotag] was texting me today. I talked to ([autotag]Junior Dos Santos[/autotag]’) manager a couple days ago. [autotag]Alistair Overeem[/autotag]. The list goes on and on and on.”

Barnett (35-8 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) is currently under contract with Bellator, though he has not competed for the organization – or at all, since 2016. He’s been vocal about his desire for the Emelianenko matchup, something he asked for publicly as recently as Friday.

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Dos Santos (21-9) was released from the UFC in March and has not signed with another organization.

Overeem (47-19), who was released the same day as Dos Santos, recently announced he signed with GLORY Kickboxing. However, the terms of his contract and its exclusivity pertaining to MMA is not known. Additionally, Bellator and GLORY have cross-promoted in the past.

Coker said one matchup he has not considered and looked into is former UFC middleweight champion [autotag]Anderson Silva[/autotag] (34-11), who defeated boxing star Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. by split decision in an exhibition match June 19.

Bellator 261 took place Friday at Mohegan Sun Arena. The main card aired on Showtime after prelims on MMA Junkie.

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Scott Coker: Fedor Emelianenko will fight soon – and Junior Dos Santos or Alistair Overeem could be next

Fedor Emelianenko has resumed training after a 2020 bout with COVID-19 and Scott Coker is seeing what free agents are available.

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UNCASVILLE, Conn. – [autotag]Fedor Emelianenko[/autotag] is gearing up for a return to the cage after a battle outside of it, according to Bellator president Scott Coker.

Emelianenko (39-6 MMA, 3-2 BMMA), who has not competed since December 2019, contracted COVID-19 in 2020. The virus landed him in the hospital for a short period of time before he was released.

Coker told MMA Junkie on Thursday that he plans on meeting with Emelianenko during Bellator 256 fight week next week to discuss the specifics, but he’s been told the Russian legend is already back in the gym and preparing for a comeback.

“He’s doing much better and he’s ready to start training and getting ready,” Coker told MMA Junkie. “He will fight here in the next several months, I think. I’m going to talk to him when he gets here next week. He’s coming with (Vadim) Nemkov. I’ll have a chance to sit down and talk to him. I’ll make sure we’re on the same page as far as the timing of it all. I’m thinking late summer or early fall, you’ll see Fedor in the cage again.”

With a couple of high-profile heavyweight free agents on the market, Coker sees possibilities for Emelianenko’s next opponent. Former UFC heavyweight champion [autotag]Junior Dos Santos[/autotag] and former perennial UFC heavyweight contender [autotag]Alistair Overeem[/autotag] both are on the market.

Coker confirmed Bellator has been in talks with both. While the promotion isn’t necessarily interested in locking the 37-year-old Dos Santos (21-9) or the 40-year-old Overeem (47-19) up for multiyear deals, Coker said one-fight deals could be an option if the other parties involved are interested.

“We’re not going to sign these guys to, like, a two-year, six-fight deal or build them up,” Coker said. “They’ve done everything. They’ve already proved themselves. They are legends of the sport already. But what I will say is we do have legends of the sport here. If we go down the road, and we think a Fedor opponent will work, Alistair and Fedor will be very interesting to me. Junior Dos Santos and Fedor will be very interesting to me.”

As Coker pointed out, Emelianenko and Overeem have history, too. Both participated in the Strikeforce heavyweight grand prix in 2011 and could’ve fought one another. But Emelianenko was eliminated by Fabricio Werdum and Alistair Overeem withdrew from the tournament due to contractual issues.

“We put them on opposite sides of the bracket and Fedor lost,” Coker said. “It just didn’t get to the end. Having that fight now might be interesting. We’re still a long ways away from making that happen. But (with) superfights, if they’re open to it, what I told them both is, ‘Look, if you can get a contract somewhere else that is exclusive, then great. If you can’t and you want to fight superfights, the door is always open and we’ll have conversations.'”

Dos Santos is coming off four consecutive knockout losses. Overeem went 2-1 prior to his UFC release. Emelianenko has won three of four, a stretch that includes victories over Quinton Jackson, Chael Sonnen and Frank Mir.

The promotion makes its Showtime debut Friday with Bellator 255 at Mohegan Sun Arena. The entire card also will stream on MMA Junkie.

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Champ Ryan Bader hopes Alistair Overeem, Junior Dos Santos join Bellator heavyweight division

Ryan Bader wouldn’t be mad if Bellator added heavyweight legends Alistair Overeem and Junior Dos Santos to its heavyweight roster.

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[autotag]Ryan Bader[/autotag] wouldn’t be mad if Bellator added heavyweight legends [autotag]Alistair Overeem[/autotag] and [autotag]Junior Dos Santos[/autotag] to its heavyweight roster. However, he’s unsure if they’ll be deemed a good fit.

The UFC parted with two longtime divisional mainstays earlier this month when former champion Dos Santos (21-9) and onetime title challenger Overeem (47-19) were released from their respective contracts.

Both men have yet to publicly give details about their plans for the future, but if they continue competing, Bellator would seemingly be a potential destination.

However, Bader (27-6 MMA, 5-1 BMMA), the reigning Bellator heavyweight champion, doesn’t know if company president Scott Coker will be interested in bringing 37-year-old Dos Santos and 40-year-old Overeem and into the fold.

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“Look at what Bellator has done with (building) light heavyweight,” Bader told MMA Junkie on Monday. “It all depends, because Bellator’s model, they’re kind of changing a little bit. They’re bringing up their own guys, younger guys and all that. Yeah, I would like those guys to come over. I don’t know if they’e going to get those older guys now. We’ll see.”

Bader is currently focused on fighting at light heavyweight to work toward regaining champ-champ status. The first step comes at Bellator 256 on April 9, whee he’ll rematch Lyoto Machida in the opening round of the 205-pound grand prix.

Whether he wins the tournament or gets eliminator in the opening round, Bader said he will return to heavyweight to defend his title – and he wouldn’t mind seeing a couple of MMA legends up there waiting for him.

“I don’t know if Overeem is retired now,” Bader said. “But Dos Santos definitely seems like he wants to keep fighting and all that, so he’d be a good addition.”

To hear the full interview with Bader, check out the video below.

https://youtu.be/0i-QbHektUg