Former Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem was a guest on UFC Tonight on Fuel TV yesterday, and he was in full promotion mode trying to get a bout with UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos. We all know that he was scheduled to face JDS at UFC 146 but was removed (or removed himself, depending on who you ask) from the bout due to failing a random test. He is currently suspended until late December, but believes that he could fight the champ on the UFC’s annual year-end card on December 29th. He started off with a baiting line questioning Cigano’s courage:
“I think he’s afraid to fight me. He was happy that the last fight on May 26 didn’t happen against us. I approached him at the UFC Fighter Summit in Vegas and said, ‘Let’s do it. Let’s prove something to the world and lets fight.’ Then he suddenly acted like he didn’t understand English and how he wants to fight Cain first. The fact of the matter is, I’m the number-one heavyweight in the world and if he wants to be the number-one heavyweight, he has to come through me.”
But what about that pesky suspension of his?
“My manager and I have a good relationship with the (Nevada State Athletic) Commission and we’re taking all steps necessary and following all the rules and I don’t expect any problems to get my license from the commission when the time comes.”
Then came the full court press:
“Junior, give me and the fans and the UFC what they want. You’ve already fought Cain. That would just be another win. But a win over me would give you the number-one spot. Without a win over me, they’ll always question your championship. So bring it to the table my friend.”
While it’s clearly the most marketable heavyweight fight out there at the moment, I don’t believe Overeem deserves it. He’s certainly worked his charm and got Dana White back on his side though, so that’s probably what will happen somehow. Sorry Cain.
You can check out the video from last night’s show after the jump.
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