Overeem releases statement following UFC release: It’s been an honor

Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images

Alistair Overeem parts ways with the UFC on good terms. Alistair Overeem has nothing but good things to say about the UFC despite being cut from the promotion earlier this week.


UFC Fight Night: Overeem v Harris
Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images

Alistair Overeem parts ways with the UFC on good terms.

Alistair Overeem has nothing but good things to say about the UFC despite being cut from the promotion earlier this week.

‘The Reem’ posted a statement on Instagram earlier today in which he credited the UFC for giving him ‘the experience of a lifetime’ as well as giving special thanks to UFC president Dana White and former company CEO Lorenzo Fertitta.

“The final run has come to an end, but what a run it has been. Looking back at my 10 years in the UFC, this has been the experience of a lifetime. Huge thank you to the entire @ufc staff, the fans and all the fighters I came across. Couldn’t have wished for any other better career path. A special thank you to @danawhite and Lorenzo Fertitta for making everything possible. Fighting for all of you has been such an honor,” Overeem posted on Thursday.

‘The Demolition Man’ was cut alongside former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos, who is expected to release a statement of his own in the next couple of days.

Overeem, 40, made his UFC debut in 2011 against WWE superstar Brock Lesnar, finishing the former heavyweight champ with a vicious body kick in the first round. The Dutchman went on to beat UFC standouts Fabricio Werdum, dos Santos and Frank Mir but suffered crushing defeats to Stipe Miocic, Francis Ngannou and, most recently, Alexander Volkov.

Overeem exits the UFC with a 12-8 record (47-19 MMA) and one of the most decorated careers in heavyweight history.