Alistair Overeem Speaks On UFC Departure
Alistair Overeem has issued a statement on his UFC exit.
Overeem had been with the UFC since December 2011. He amassed a record of 12-8 under the promotion. Following his recent TKO loss to Alexander Volkov, the UFC decided to part ways with the former Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion.
“The Reem” took to his Instagram account to speak on his release from the UFC.
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“The final run has come to an end, but what a run it has been. Looking back at my 10 years in the UFC, this has been the experience of a lifetime. Huge thank you to the entire UFC staff, the fans and all the fighters I came across. Couldn’t have wished for any other better career path. A special thank you to Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta for making everything possible. Fighting for all of you has been such an honor.”
Overeem had expressed his desire to chase after the UFC Heavyweight Title before walking away from the sport of MMA. It doesn’t appear likely that he will get that opportunity again.
The good news for Overeem is that a familiar face wants to work with him once more. Former PRIDE FC President and current RIZIN CEO, Nobuyuki Sakakibara, told Tom Taylor of BJPenn.com that he’s open to bringing Overeem in.
“I do have a soft spot for Alistair and if he desires, I think it would make sense for him to retire in Japan. We will be kicking this year off with the RIZIN 27 event on March 21st in Nagoya, but we do plan to have around 7 events this year, obviously ending it at the Saitama Super Arena on [New Year’s Eve]. Maybe that would be something that could make sense. He would obviously need to understand the current Japanese market and his value for all of this to happen though. He should do us an old friend’s favor and fight for the amount he made his debut in like old times.
“All jokes aside, I would have no problem working with him if the numbers make sense for us, and I’m sure there will be many fans who would want to see him end his career in Japan.”