Going into his UFC Fight Night main event Sunday against Jackson-Winkeljohn teammate Andrei Arlovski, Alistair Overeem told Sporting News he had no problems facing a teammate. He viewed the fight as getting himself a heavyweight title shot.
Not only did Overeem probably earn a shot at the winner of the Fabricio Werdum and Stipe Miocic fight at next week's UFC 198, he did it in "Karate Kid" style, defeating Arlovski by second-round TKO. After the fight ended, "The Reem" stated his intentions and they focused on Werdum and Miocic.
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“We’re going to get that belt in November,” Overeem told Jon Anik. “Nov. 12, Madison Square Garden (UFC 205), Werdum, Stipe, may the best man win. But I’m going to take on that winner."
HOLY HEAD KICK from @CWadeMMA!! #UFCRotterdam https://t.co/uIQAO2T45M
— UFC (@ufc) May 8, 2016
In the first round, Arlovski came out guns blazing, firing off punches, looking to land his patented right hook. Overeem weathered the storm and started to land his signature Muay Thai knees. Near the end of the opening round, Overeem tripped Arlovski to the mat. Once to the ground, Overeem threw occassional ground and pound punches as the round came to a close.
The second round began like the first ended, with Overeem on the offensive throwing hard leg and body kicks. Then in an instant, Overeem threw a flying switch kick and a left hook to drop the former UFC heavyweight champion. The former Strikeforce heavyweight champ pounced on Arlovski, and a couple of ground and punches later Overeem punched a likely ticket for a chance to win UFC gold.
Steven Muehlhausen is an MMA and boxing writer and contributor for Sporting News. You can find his podcast, The Fight Club Chicago, and subscribe on iTunes, Soundcloud and Stitcher. You can email him at [email protected] and can find him on Twitter @SMuehlhausenMMA.
