Dutch heavyweight veteran Alistair Overeem had a dream performance when the UFC visited his homeland for the first time last night, beating teammate Andrei Arlovski via TKO to advance himself to within reaching distance of the UFC heavyweight title.
“I feel great. It was a great night for Holland – we went 3-0,” Overeem said post-fight. “Everybody performed great, the audience was fantastic… I could not be more happy.”
Now riding a 4-0 streak with three wins coming via KO/TKO, Alistair feels he is most deserving of a title shot against the winner of Fabricio Werdum vs. Stipe Miocic, which takes place May 14th at UFC 198. And with perhaps the most impressive winning run of any contender in the division, the former Strikeforce, K-1 and Dream champ is confident he will be next for the belt.
“Obviously this is going to be another huge challenge, another huge piece of history; for me, at least,” Overeem said. “We’re going to make sure we go into this well prepared.”
“We’re going to ease into it, then (once we know) it’s either going to be Werdum or Stipe, then it becomes more specific,” he added.
Though he will be prepared for whatever circumstance, having a history with current champ Werdum would give ‘The Reem’ a little extra motion to settle the score with the Brazilian should they meet again.
“I do have unsettled business with Werdum – we’re 1-1 – even though I beat him the last time so, for me, that’s already good. But both prove interesting challenges. They’re different. But may the best man win. I’ll be ready for whatever.”
