Alistair Overeem has no interest in waiting for a title shot before stepping back into the Octagon. With champion Junior dos Santos and Cain Velasquez competing on the New Year’s card, The Reem avoids potentially sitting on the sidelines until next May, when the victor is ready for competition.
In fact, both JDS and Velasquez are somewhat injury prone and have each fought only three times in the past two years. The decision to not wait prevents Overeem from potentially missing most of 2013.
Overeem is eligible to reapply for a license on December 27, so it’s feasible that he could participate at UFC 155 only two days later. However, for the past five years, there have been no less than two January cards, so The Demolition Man likely won’t have to wait long if Dana White doesn’t feel comfortable by banking on the expedience with the issuing of Overeem’s new license.
In any event, here is a look at five potential opponents for Alistair Overeem upon his return.