I’ll be fighting again in December and mark my words, I’ll be back.. to get the belt, sooner rather later.
— Alistair Overeem (@Alistairovereem) June 18, 2012
Alistair Overeem says he is returning in December, but the NSAC will keep him out of action until at least December 27. And at that point he will need to get another license from the state before the UFC holds its annual New Year’s event. With the way the dates line up, it seems unlikely he would be on that card.
But let’s play along and put Overeem on the New Year’s bill. Who should he fight?
Overeem wants a shot at the championship and has claimed Junior dos Santos is scared to fight him. But if Overeem is to fight on that card, that fight is definitely off the table.
Yuri Carlton, Dos Santos’ coach, told www.fightersonlymag.com that the rematch between Dos Santos and Velasquez will not happen until November or December. Removing a UFC championship fight against Dos Santos, or Velasquez, from the pool of candidates.
And yesterday’s announcement of Roy Nelson and Shane Carwin being selected as the next pair of Ultimate Fighter coaches removes them as well. Limiting the choices even further.
The best choice for his return, and a No. 1 contender’s bout, is Fabricio Werdum.
I know what you are thinking—their last encounter was boring and you do not want a repeat of that fight. Noted. But with Cormier still tied up in Strikeforce, who else is ready for a shot at the championship?
One fight in PRIDE and one fight in Strikeforce, so why not have the third installment in the UFC?
There is an understandable fear that the fight could be boring, but there is no indication that a repeat would happen. Since the second fight with Overeem, Werdum has put on two dominant and exciting performances. He has been one of the more exciting heavyweights since his return to the Octagon.
Most importantly, it makes sense in the division. Should Overeem simply be fed a lesser fighter in his return to give him the best shot at staying atop the rankings? No. If he feels he is the top contender he should fight another contender to solidify that spot.
The UFC, and its fans, should not be scared to make a fight because it may be boring. At least, not if it is to determine the true No. 1 contender.
What other options do they have? Frank Mir is just coming off his loss to Dos Santos, Bigfoot Silva to Velasquez, and Minotauro Nogueira has yet to set a firm date for when he will be able to return from his broken arm.
The rubber match between Werdum and Overeem makes the most sense for the UFC.
Under the bright lights of the UFC these two top-five heavyweights will feel the pressure to perform. With so much on the line both men will look for the finish to lay claim to the top spot in the division.
It may not be the sexiest fight in the world, but the result could set one up against whomever the champ may be. It is time to settle the score and finish this rivalry. The winner gets the title shot.
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