Issue 040
August 2008
Dutchman Alistair Overeem (27-11-0) was born with a rare gift. Not only is the Golden Glory fighter a physical specimen, but he’s also a natural athlete. Blessed with a sportsman’s physique, incredible strength and the ability to pick up complex techniques quickly, Overeem wouldn’t be out of place on a football or rugby pitch – were he not a fighter.
So with all this natural ability on his side, why haven’t we seen the heavyweight on any international MMA top ten rankings?
“I haven’t had time to shine at heavyweight,” explains Overeem, who spent the majority of his career at light heavyweight (205lb). I never did any weight training or heavy conditioning until recently. I spent most of my career at the wrong weight.”
In 2007, following a series of losses to some of the world’s top light-heavyweights, Overeem decided to move up a weight class in hopes of putting his gifts to good use. This meant no more insane weight cutting, and lots of strength training. Within months, the heavyweight Alistair Overeem was ready to take on all comers.
“So much has been changing for the better,” says Overeem. “I finally got serious about weight training, and I can feel myself getting constantly stronger. I don’t have to cut weight anymore either, so I don’t lose any power. At this weight I feel I can take on anyone.”
He’s definitely off to a good start. Last November Overeem was crowned the Strikeforce heavyweight champion after he decimated UFC veteran Paul Buentello. Now the Dutchman has his eye set on another prize – the brand new DREAM heavyweight title and Croatian Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic.
A win over the former Pride open-weight champion is exactly what Overeem wants to further his career. Despite a slew of recent uninspiring performances, Filipovic is still a favourite in the land of the rising sun, and still ranked by many as a top ten heavyweight. A win against Cro Cop would instantly propel Overeem into the heavyweight elite. “I want Cro Cop,” says Overeem. “He’s my ticket into the top ten. He’s been offered to fight me twice, and he has dodged me both times.”
Though Cro Cop denied that he was offered a tilt with Overeem, the former special-forces operative seemingly accepted the Golden Glory fighter’s challenge in a statement posted on an online blog in mid-June. “I’ve never been offered to fight Overeem,” wrote Cro Cop. “Why would I decline this offer? I fought the best fighters in the world already – I don’t see why I should have second thoughts about fighting Alistair Overeem.”
With the odds of this fight becoming a reality improving by the day, the winner will most likely become Japan’s newest heavyweight hero, and Overeem is determined to win that honour. “Heavyweight is definitely my weight,” says Overeem. “This is where I’m staying, and it’s where I’m most competitive. It doesn’t matter who they put me against – I’ll beat him.”
