Despite lackluster performances in their two most recent outings, both Alistair Overeem and Uriah Hall will get another chance to prove they belong in the UFC.
UFC president Dana White confirmed the news on Thursday with MMAFighting’s Ariel Helwani.
Overeem, a former Strikeforce and DREAM heavyweight champion as well as a K-1 Grand Prix champion, came into the UFC as one of the most-hyped additions to the heavyweight division since former professional wrestler Brock Lesnar made his debut in 2008. Oddly enough, Overeem defeated Lesnar in his own UFC debut but was then sidelined for a year due to a failed test for performance-enhancing drugs.
When he returned, Overeem was expected to march over Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva and earn a heavyweight title fight.
That did not happen. Silva famously knocked Overeem out at UFC 156 earlier this year.
Earlier this month, Overeem was knocked out in his return fight by big-time prospect Travis Browne, which led many to believe that his high price tag would cause the UFC to cut him loose.
That’s not the case.
“Yeah, he’ll be back,” White told Helwani.
White also revealed that Hall, The Ultimate Fighter 17 finalist who was considered the next big thing and a potential opponent for the middleweight champion until his momentum was derailed by Kelvin Gastelum in the TUF 17 finale, would return as well.
A second consecutive loss to John Howard left many, White included, believing that Hall may not have what it takes to cut it in the UFC. “I love Uriah Hall,” White said. “I have a great relationship with this kid. He’s one of the nicest human beings you can ever meet. He’s not a fighter, man.”
After the loss to Howard at UFC Fight Night 26, it was expected Hall would find his way out of the organization. But that’s not happening, according to White’s interview with Helwani.
“Uriah Hall has been blowing me up,” the UFC president said. “He wants to fight again, and he said, ‘I promise you my next fight will be different than every other fight you’ve seen me in.'”
Who would make good potential opponents for Overeem and Hall? Let us know in the comments below.
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com