The UFC released MMA champion Alistair Overeem’s contract less than a month after his last knockout loss in the octagon.
Multiple people with knowledge of Overeem’s release confirmed the news to MMA Fighting after an initial report by TSN Sports, which added the name of former K-1 champion Strikeforce and DREAM to a short list of heavyweights that included the former champion Junior Dos Santos. Overeem was recently removed from the UFC ranking, where he came in seventh, indicating a change in the status of the contract.
Overeem’s tenure in the UFC, which began in the midst of a legal battle with his former manager, comes to an end after nearly a decade of fights in which he won the 12-8 record. An emerging star and perennial heavyweight contender, Overeem has repeatedly stepped back in time, despite repeated knockout losses. The most recent, against former Bellator champion Alexander Volkov, at UFC Vegas 18, came after two victories in fights against Walt Harris and Augusto Sakai.
A kickboxing and guillotine expert, Overeem, 40, adjusted his tactics to use the full range of his skills instead of standing and attacking all enemies. Had it not been for a punch at the last second, he would have taken home a decision on heavyweight Jairzinho Rozenstruik in December 2019. All of his losses in the UFC were by technical knockout or knockout.
In the past few months, the UFC has launched dozens of fighters with UFC president Dana White, confirming up to 60 fighters on the block. An expensive talent due to the starting point as a high profile acquisition and main attraction, Overeem’s prospects for launch have increased with time and losses.
Despite the setback against Volkov, Overeem later indicated that he would continue to fight after resting his body. Your next move is now a question mark.
One option, Bellator MMA, seems off the table for now with President Scott Coker – his former promoter on the now-defunct Strikeforce – interested in maintaining the current squad of fighters, he told MMA Fighting.