Former Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem is currently serving the tail end of a Nevada State Athletic Commission issued suspension back in May.
That suspension, handed down for having elevated levels of testosterone prior to UFC 146, led to “The Demolition Man’s” first real conversation with his boss: UFC president Dana White.
Overeem shed some details on the matter in an interview with ESPN 1100:
“I never really dealt with Dana. Just hello and goodbye, we never really spoke really. Of course there’s a respect from my side and his side, a mutual respect but when this happened, the show has to go on. The show didn’t go on and I took responsibility for it but we didn’t speak. I was in Vegas, I was in a meeting at the UFC headquarters and I actually took the time to wait for him to finish with his business. I stepped into his office and took responsibility and I said it was my fault. I think for him hearing that directly out of my mouth and by looking each other in the eyes that was good, good for the relationship. That’s what I would like to hear if my employees messed up, I would like to hear directly from them. I just told him that I messed up, the show has to go on, it didn’t, I take responsibility, these are the steps that I’ve taken, these are the steps I’m going to take and he appreciated that. Immediately after I noticed a difference in his tone so I think that was the right thing to do.”
The former K-1 kickboxing champion is undefeated in his past 12 fights, racking up 11 wins and one no contest since getting knocked out by Sergei Kharitonov in Sept. 2007.
“The Reem” is scheduled to make his return to the Octagon at UFC 156 in February against Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva, although he cannot apply for his fighter’s license until the end of the month.
Although the untimely drug related suspension cancelled Overeem’s bout with heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos, White has indicated that he would still like to see the Dutchman fight for the title.
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com