Junior dos Santos and Alistair Overeem are set to co-headline UFC on FOX 17 in Orlando on Dec. 19, and the Brazilian is happy to finally have the chance to meet his old foe.
“Cigano” and Overeem were slated to meet inside the Octagon two times before, but the former K-1 and Strikeforce heavyweight champion pulled out both time for different reasons. At UFC 146, Overeem tested positive for elevate levels of testosterone. A year later, in 2013, he suffered an injury prior to UFC 160.
The UFC announced on Tuesday that dos Santos and Overeem will meet in a three-round bout at the Amway Center in Florida, and “Cigano” hopes his rival makes it to the fight this time.
“I don’t choose opponents, but I’m not gonna lie — it will feel great to shut this guy up,” dos Santos posted on his Instagram following the announcement. “USADA Let’s work.”
The former UFC heavyweight champion, who will likely train for the bout at American Top Team in Florida, added in Portuguese, “I hope he doesn’t fail the drug test this time.”
dos Santos (17-3) enters the fight coming off a close decision win over Stipe Miocic in 2014, while Overeem (39-14, 1 no-contest) looks for his third straight victory following a first-round knockout over Stefan Struve and a decision win over Roy Nelson.