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“I’ve trained with him, he’s very capable. He’s tough, he’s good. So I’m excited about that development.”
Alistair Overeem says it would be an honor to welcome Jon Jones to the heavyweight division.
Overeem, who has trained with Jones in the past, thinks the former two-time UFC light heavyweight champion and current pound-for-pound No. 1 would make a great addition to the division and is excited about this latest chapter in his career.
“Yes, I would do it,” Overeem, who is scheduled to fight Augusto Sakai at UFC Vegas 9, said of a possible fight with Jones (h/t MMA Fighting’s Alexander K. Lee). “I think it’s a great fight. I would feel honored.”
“I think it’s a great addition to the heavyweight division,” he added. “I’m actually excited. Fresh blood. I’ve trained with him, he’s very capable. He’s tough, he’s good. So I’m excited about that development.”
Jones has stated his desire to challenge Miocic for the heavyweight title but, with Brock Lesnar potentially back in the mix following stalled negotiations with the WWE, some pundits believe the Jackson-Wink product could go on to face Lesnar in a super fight.
Overeem, however, thinks talks of Lesnar returning to the UFC are premature.
“I don’t really pay attention [to the rest of the division] because I got my fight booked,” he said. “As far as Brock goes, I don’t really think he’s coming back. I was wrong the last time though.”
Overeem would like another crack at the heavyweight title with a couple more wins under his belt but, at 40-years-old, the former Strikeforce, DREAM, and K-1 heavyweight champion knows his days are numbered.
“No, I won’t stick around as long as it takes,” Overeem said. “Probably going to do a couple more fights and then it is what it is.”
UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Sakai will take place tomorrow night, Sept. 5 at the UFC APEX facility in Las Vegas, Nevada.