Another noteworthy bout has been added to the UFC’s 20th anniversary show, as two heavyweights in desperate need of a win, Alistair Overeem and Frank Mir, will collide Nov. 16, 2013 at UFC 167.
UFC officials confirmed the match-up Thursday night, following an initial report by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Overeem and Mir, both once ranked among the upper echelon in the heavyweight division, now find themselves struggling to stay above water following a recent string of losses.
For Overeem, (36-13, 1 NC), a former Strikeforce, DREAM, and K-1 champion, the road has been disastrous since serving a nine-month suspension in 2012 for elevated levels of testosterone. “The Reem” snatched defeat from the jaws of victory not just once, but twice, suffering brutal comeback knockouts at the hands of Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva and Travis Browne.
In contrast, Mir’s (16-8) recent three-fight skid has been less devastating, but far more one-sided. The 34-year-old lost a title bid against then-UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos in mid-2012, then went on to be soundly outpointed by Daniel Cormier last April. Most recently, Mir was knocked out in the first round against Josh Barnett, albeit via a polarizing stoppage.
UFC 167 takes place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV. An updated fight card can be seen below.
- Georges St. Pierre vs. Johny Hendricks
- Rashad Evans vs. Chael Sonnen
- Rory MacDonald vs. Robbie Lawler
- Alistair Overeem vs. Frank Mir
- Josh Koscheck vs. Tyron Woodley