Fresh off his dominant win over Brock Lesnar at UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) 141, Alistair Overeem has had time to mull over the main events outcome as well as to give his thoughts on the projected matchup with UFC heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos.
The Dutchman’s prediction of a first-round stoppage came to fruition as he scored a TKO over his fellow behemoth in 2:26 of said round.
“I predicted it the evening before to my fiancee,” Overeem said at the post-fight press conference at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. “I said, ‘First I’m going to do this, then I’m going to do that, and I’m going to finish it with a liver kick.’ I don’t know if it’s luck or it’s strategy. But it turned out that way, and I’m just happy that it did,” Overeem told Heavy.Com.
Overeem (36-11-1NC MMA, UFC 1) has had his fair share of cynics heading into the bout—some believed that he would be out of his depth against someone with the wrestling pedigree of Lesnar.
There was also doubt with regards to his abilities as an elite mixed martial artist.
Add to the fact that UFC President Dana White had also voiced his opinion on the outcome of the fight (in favor of Lesnar), the win makes it all the more satisfactory for the former Strikeforce heavyweight champion.
“Let me say in front of everybody here that I was wrong,” White said after the fight. “I said it before Alistair came into the UFC, and I said it leading up to this fight to myself because I never give predictions (publicly). But I thought Brock Lesnar was going to beat Alistair Overeem tonight. I did. I was wrong, and he looked damned good tonight. He made quick work of Brock Lesnar,” White said.
Following his loss to Overeem, Lesnar (5-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC) subsequently announced his retirement from the sport.
The former WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) and UFC heavyweight titlist had suffered a recurrence of diverticulitis coming into the bout.
It was also the first time he’d set foot into the Octagon since he lost the title to Cain Velasquez at UFC 121.
All in all, the time on the sidelines culminated in 14 months of inactivity for Lesnar.
“I think he shouldn’t walk away,” Overeem said. “Love him or hate him, it’s always something when Brock’s fighting. He’s a guy who goes for it. I think he achieved a lot in a short span. It would be a shame if he stops now. I think there’s still more to gain for him.”
Now that Overeem has the moniker of No. 1 contender in the heavyweight division, all that’s left is the fight itself.
Barring any injuries to Overeem and “Cigano” or any unforeseen circumstances for that matter, the matchup should go ahead sometime in 2012 or as “The Demolition Man” would have it, before the end of the summer.
“I can only say I was very motivated,” Overeem said. “I just wanted to get in there and show everybody, show the world, that I’m ready. And that I’m coming. Junior dos Santos is a very different fighter, so the game plan will be very different. … I’d like to have a nice long holiday, and arrange some stuff or get some stuff in order. So maybe (fight dos Santos) before the end of summer. I think everybody’s excited for this fight, and so am I.”
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