After defeating Junior dos Santos in the second round by TKO (punches) at UFC on Fox 17 in December 2015, Alistair Overeem’s contract with the UFC was coming to an end, but it looks like the big Dutch mixed martial artist isn’t going to leave the Zuffa owned banner any time soon.
According to MMA Fighting, “The Reem” has re-signed with the UFC on Monday. That’s right! The former STRIKEFORCE Heavyweight Champion, DREAM Heavyweight Champion, and K-1 World Grand Prix Champion is now targeting another run at the heavyweight title in the UFC. For those familiar with his MMA career in the UFC should know “The Reem” was eliminated for the title at UFC 156 when he lost to Brazil’s Antônio Silva by knockout. After that shocking loss, his MMA career stalled for a bit until he regained momentum again after defeating Stefan Struve at UFC on Fox: dos Santos vs. Miocic in 2014. Overeem then won two more fights by decision and TKO over Roy Nelson and dos Santos, respectively.
Overeem is expected to return inside the Octagon on May 8, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 87 in Rotterdam, Netherlands which will be the first UFC event in Overeem’s home country. His opponent is still to be announced.
Just signed my new @ufc contract! pic.twitter.com/lUQZO0ptLJ
— Alistair Overeem (@Alistairovereem) February 15, 2016