Former Strikeforce Heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem has officially signed with the UFC, and is scheduled to meet former UFC heavyweight title holder Brock Lesnar at a UFC event on December 30.
The bout will likely determine the next contender for a heavyweight title shot in the near future.
Overeem, who had an exclusive interview with FightersOnly, spoke about the opportunity to face Lesnar and said he immediately turned down a title shot in order to face him.
“A couple of names came up and Brock Lesnar was one of them. I liked the match, he liked the match and so we signed it,” Overeem said.
Lesnar has not competed inside the Octagon since last year when he lost the heavyweight crown to Cain Velasquez at UFC 122. Since then he has been out of action suffering from his second encounter with diverticulitis.
Meanwhile, Overeem’s contract negotiations with the UFC have been well-documented since his sudden departure from Strikeforce, but the K-1 champion was quiet regarding his new deal. However, he did break his silence on his opponent and he said he isn’t concerned with what Lesnar brings to their bout.
“Well, its not something that really bothers me,” he said.
“There will be good wrestlers in the training camp and I will be ready. One thing I can tell you for definite, this fight will not be going the distance.”
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