Alistair Overeem – Photo by Getty Images
Dutch striker, and UFC heavyweight, Alistair ‘The Reem’ Overeem (33-11, 1NC) has been granted a fighter’s license giving him the green light to compete at next month’s UFC 156 pay-per-view event versus Antonio ‘Bigfoot’ Silva.
Overeem was granted the license following a unanimous decision vote by the Nevada State Athletic Commission during a hearing on Tuesday.
‘The Reem’ had been under a nine month suspension following a failed drug test in March 2012. As part of his quest to get reinstated Overeem submitted five self-administered tests to the NSAC between June and December, all of which produced negative results. He was also subjected to two tests from the commission on November 16 and December 21, these also produced negative results.
UFC 156: Aldo vs. Edgar is expected to take place on February 2, 2013 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
‘The Reem’ is currently riding a twelve fight undefeated streak which includes eleven wins and one “No Contest.” Overeem debuted inside the Octagon in December 2011, picking up a first round TKO win over former champ Brock Lesnar. He had been scheduled to face Junior dos Santos for the UFC title in April at UFC 146 but a failed drug test from the NSAC, which produced a 14-to-1 testosterone-to-epitestosterone (T/E) ratio, forced him off the event and led to his subsequent suspension.