Update: Alistair Overeem removed from Strikeforce GP

Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem has been a fighter under the Zuffa banner for only a few short months now, but already the relationship has become a bit strained.

Overeem told Ariel Helwani on Monday's edition of The MMA Hour that he has not agreed to the proposed Sept. 10 date for the semifinal round of the Strikeforce heavyweight Grand Prix, and his opposition is causing some tension with his new employer.

"That is not going to take place," Overeem told Helwani. "Stikeforce has requested me to accept the fight for Sept. 10, to agree on that, but I have not agreed on it and I also had some emails, some questions asked, is the fight confirmed? No, the fight is not confirmed. I do not confirm it and I will not confirm it."

Originally, Overeem said, he agreed on an October return to the cage to face Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva in the next round of the tournament. He claimed he needed that time to recover from his last fight -- a three-rounder with Fabricio Werdum in the quarterfinals, which he said he went into with a broken toe -- as well as to properly prepare for Silva.

Recently he was informed that Strikeforce was targeting the date in early September, which Overeem deemed "too short notice," and rejected. Then the backlash from his new employers began, he said.

"What's going to happen next, I don't know. I've had some threats of cutting me out of the tournament if I don't participate. I don't know if they're going to do it. Personally, I don't like to be threatened. If people start talking like that then...be my guest, but then I'm really not going to sing to their tune."

Overeem said he's let his management handle all the negotiations and has not spoken directly with anyone at Strikeforce or Zuffa on the subject because he has a "too short temper to deal with people who can be disrespectful."

This is the first negative experience he's had with the new Strikeforce owners, Overeem said, but it's one that seems as though it could derail the relationship early on.

"For them to unilaterally declare, okay, [September 10] is going to be the second round, which I never agreed on, and then threaten me if I don't want it, it...doesn't really show a lot of respect," he said.

Overeem added that he was unsure how seriously to take threats that he could be cut from the tournament, but insisted he wouldn't be pressured into taking a fight before he felt adequately prepared.

"The fights that I've lost -- I'm not the guy going for excuses -- I blame myself. That is where this decision is coming from. I don't want to blame myself. ...What I do now is I [do] my homework, I make sure everything is perfect, and then I fight. With that formula I've had some great results in the last four years, and I'm not prepared to throw that all away because people pressure me."

If he is dropped from the tournament, Overeem said, he still plans to fight in October. He noted that his Strikeforce contract allows him to fight in other promotions, so he's already informed his management to make sure that he has a fight lined up -- either in MMA or even potentially in K-1 -- for October.

"The thing is, there's other promotions. There's other stuff I can do. K-1's going to come back. There's some good reports on that. There's some other promotions in the world that would love to have me fight. So for me, the respect thing is definitely a factor and it's definitely important."

As for reports that he'd be interested in a boxing match with one of the Klitschko brothers, Overeem acknowledged that he might need a few warm-up bouts first -- he currently has zero pro boxing matches to his credit -- but added that his K-1 experiences had only improved his striking skills for MMA, so perhaps some boxing experience would do the same.

"Boxing is a new challenge," he said. "Why not?"

In fact, the only fight he doesn't seem interested in is one on September 10. While some fighters might need to capitulate to promoter demands due to the state of their careers, Overeem said, he isn't one of them. He's still the Strikeforce heavyweight champion, and he isn't going to be rushed.

"I'm a fighter who likes to fight," said Overeem. "I love to be very active. I'm going to fight [in] October regardless. If it's not going to be for Strikeforce, then I'll fight somewhere else."

The Klitschko bros would destroy Overeem.

Yep they certainly would but you have to think he would at least go out on his shield. Haye just accepted 2nd place and didnt push for a KO, you would imagine Overeem would push the fight against Wlad at least if he got a wiff of a bad chin and considering he is about Wlads size I think he would go out throwing bombs.... I doubt he will cross over to Boxing though.

I reckon Zuffa will reschedule an event round him, they are probabally hoping for him to be the eventual winner given he is probabally the most marketabe guy in the GP, I dont think 1 month is unreasonable but I reckon he needs to watch what he says about the zuffa overlords.

I think both Kiltchisko's would murder him as well in a boxing much. They are both a lot more skilled than him and his chin isn't exactly great either. Unfortunately there just about the only two good fighters in HW boxing right now so it's not like he has any one else to fight.

This is probably the worst thing about Overoid, even worse than the roiding. He keeps ducking people and makes excuses. He needs to man up and start what he finished. He fought like shit against Werdum, he needs to step it up.

Yeah Wlad would likely maul him I suppose he hasnt anything much to offer but size and punch power and I suppose there are big Hw's like Briggs who pretty much offer the same thing but can box.

No way Overeem ducks fights though, the K-1 GP he won was full of good fighters, he fought Badr and Bonjasky and Schilt was in the tournament he won.

In MMA he just stepped up and beat the guy who was argueabally number 1. He was itching with a fight for Fedor too when he was still unbeaten. Overeem hasnt ever avoided a fight and asking for a month while injuries heal seems ok to me, think of the amount of UFC fighters pulling out injured and SF organising an event round Barnett.

You cant really Blame the Werdum fight on him, Werdum flopped to the ground every time a big strike landed, Werdum made that a bad fight. Overeem dominanted a top 3 ranked guy, not an exciting fight but still he pretty comfortabally beat the guy who armbared Fedor.

Juicing is a bit harsh dont you think? Nate and Sonnen are doing it, Hendo is doing it and regulating it. Maby Overeem has taken TRT too? Who knows, right now he has never tested positive and if TRT could give you those effects and he is maby regulating it to exceptable levels for fights like Hendo and countless others who cares?

Alistair Overeem (35-11 MMA, 3-0 SF) today informed the world he would not be fighting for Strikeforce on Sept. 10.

Strikeforce today informed Overeem his services will not be needed for the remainder of Strikeforce's heavyweight grand prix.

In a shocking development, MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) has confirmed that Overeem has been pulled from the tournament, and Daniel Cormier (8-0 MMA, 5-0 SF) will take his spot in the semifinals of the promotion's heavyweight grand prix.

The change was first reported by Tatame.com. It's currently unclear if Overeem is still under contract with the promotion or if Strikeforce brass elected to hand their heavyweight champion an outright release.

Overeem today revealed on MMA Fighting's "The MMA Hour" that the promotion requested he return to action against Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva (16-2 MMA, 3-1 SF) on Sept. 10. However, the Dutch striker said he asked for more time and preferred an October booking.

With the company planning for a September event to host the promotion's heavyweight grand prix semifinal bouts, some obvious tension was built. Overeem said the company threatened his release even before today's official announcement.

"What's going to happen next, I don't know," Overeem told MMA Fighting. "I've had some threats of cutting me out of the tournament if I don't participate. I don't know if they're going to do it."

Overeem now has his answer.

Overeem's publicly stated position was that the Sept. 10 date was too soon to return to action and that he needed time to heal some nagging injuries.

However, MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) has learned that Overeem was in the process of working out a new contract with the promotion, which may have contributed to his unwillingness to compete in September. It may also explain his recently expressed desire to challenge champion boxers Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko in a boxing contest – a strategy similar to the one Nick Diaz used to leverage his Strikeforce title into a shot at the UFC's welterweight belt.

As for Silva, who must now face wrestling-standout Cormier instead of striking specialist Overeem, he seemed rather unconcerned at today's development.

"I don't care who they put against me," Silva today told MMAjunkie.com through his manager and interpreter, Alex Davis. "If Overeem doesn't want to fight because his toe is hurt, then get me King Kong. Get Josh Barnett and Sergei Kharitonov both. I'll fight them both at the same time.

"I'm very frustrated and disappointed that someone who is considered one of the best fighters in the world would basically withdraw from the competition and refuse to fight me. Overeem is a great guy, but I don't really like what he's doing right now as a fighter. Either way, I don't pick my opponents. I would have much rather Cain Velasquez stepped in for Overeem because I want to prove I'm the best heavyweight in the world. But I'm not taking Cormier lightly, either. I'll continue to train just as hard as if I was still facing Overeem."

Davis believes Cormier provides a capable fill-in, but he also admits the entire situation is unfortunate.

"Antonio and I both find it very unfortunate that Overeem declined to take into consideration all the interests involved in his appearance," Davis said. "Strikeforce needed him to fight in September. His fans, and really almost all MMA fans, were looking forward to the conclusion of this amazing grand prix. Antonio was looking forward to fighting an opponent as popular and accomplished as Overeem is. Now, all that is lost.

"Nevertheless, we do appreciate Cormier coming into the tournament, and we look forward to a great fight that fans will want to see."

Wow thats a shocker maby the bosses at Zuffa thought Nagging Injuries were a load of bollox and he was trying to do what Diaz did as it said in the article.

I posted on the Calendar that I thought a month wasnt a long wait because they put another SF champ straight into a title fight.

They have fucked up big time IMO. Fighters pull out injured all the time in UFC, Overeem does it and its cool. Phil Davis said he would be good to fight the month after he was supposed to and that was cool.

Overeem was in a contract where he could fight MMA in Japan, K-1, Box by the sounds of things etc.. so I reckon he thought he had them by the balls. If he has been released its a sad thing that he will go back to can crushing after being so hyped.


Also Bigfoot beats Cormer to a bloody pulp

total bullshit if you ask me, i hate the idea of replacments in tournements in any other sport the team/person gets a bye into the next round.

What a crock of shit don't think they realise what theyve done here there wasn't much interest in the torney as it was and now theres going to be less... well done zuffa! Purhaps this is ploy to get him to fight in the UFC?

That's ridiculous.

You can't tell a fighter; 'you have to fight 10 weeks after your last fight or you're sacked'

Business as usual

Hopefully this ONE FC takes off and we get to see Overeem stomp some heads in Asia.

He can also go and have those fights against Schilt and Badr in K-1 now.

The Klits would humiliate him. He is just trying to pull a Diaz with that idea.

pinsman wrote:What a crock of shit don't think they realise what theyve done here there wasn't much interest in the torney as it was and now theres going to be less... well done zuffa! Purhaps this is ploy to get him to fight in the UFC?

Exactly I think this is the latter with Brock out of the HW picture in the UFC outside of Cain & JDS there is little interest or draws (you can count Mir V.986532 If you want) This has been done purposely.

Some people are saying he messed up his roids cycle and buggered up the timing.
Whatever the deal, it sucks. Not much interest in the tourney now.

Well that sucks.

Good for SF, from the very 1st day the tourney was announced they said if any fighter was not able to fight in the date the round of the tourney was supposed to be in then an alternate will fight instead.


Just because its Overroid, shouldnt change that!!


Things are gonna change for the SF fighter now that Zuffa are in control, no more fighters grabbing SF and Coker by the balls.


Overeem thinks he can pull the same shit he has done to SF throughout his whole title reign.


Zuffa will go after M-1 aswell soon i think

Vitali would beat Overeem at Boxing and Kickboxing. Wlad has a vunerability but would easily beat Reem in boxing IMO.

Greetings from China by the way bitches! Hope everyone is keeping well.

My wee Sis is out in China right now mate, hope your having a good one.

Id like to see Vitali do a K-1 GP when he retires. Vitali vs Schilt is something I always wanted to see.

rudeboyben84 wrote:My wee Sis is out in China right now mate, hope your having a good one.

Id like to see Vitali do a K-1 GP when he retires. Vitali vs Schilt is something I always wanted to see.

maybe he could have a rematch with Pele Reid, who is meant to have knocked him out in a light contact kickboxing fight.

Would be a shame if Overeem is pulled from the tournament. Surely Zuffa should agree to have the fight in October like originally agreed. Cant blame a fighter for wanting to be 100% prepared.

rudeboyben84 wrote:My wee Sis is out in China right now mate, hope your having a good one.

Id like to see Vitali do a K-1 GP when he retires. Vitali vs Schilt is something I always wanted to see.

Loving it here mate, I'm actually considering packing up and moving after the Olympics is done and dusted. Looking into setting up my own Judo academy over here, lot of red tape and that.

The humidity is incredible though. It's 2am and there is condensation on the OUTSIDE of my windows!

What part is your sister in?


Vitali was originally planning to become a K1 fighter, he was a great kickboxer before he committed to boxing full time.

Well that sucks, but its good to see that Strikeforce isn't taking his shit any more. Good for them.

Huge step up for Cromier, he could be in for a beating.

Anfield what are you doing in China? Are you there for olmpic training? I have family living in China, never been but always wanted to go.

Have fun!

I'm here for a couple of things mate, one of my best mates is getting married, I'm buying a few shipments of furniture to sell in the UK, I'm buying an apartment as an investment because the housing prices are sky-rocketing(although I might just end up living in it), and I'm doing a lot of sightseeing.

I strongly advise you to come over here mate, it's such an amazing country. I'm in Shanghai and this city literally never sleeps. It's by far the biggest, and by far the most populated, city in the world and it's an incredible mix of new development and old world. There are a lot of slums too, real third world type areas, those are a bit off-putting. As is the smell that comes off the river from time to time. But I love it here. A move is definitely a good possibility.

Sounds great Anfield,alot of money to be made out there,so make the most of it,anyway good to hear your enjoying yourself mate.

I'm still looking forward to watching this tournament play out,but this and Fedor going out the first round has certainly took some of the gloss away from it.

basically with Fedor,Reem and werdum all out now,we have just lost the best quarter of this tournament within the first two rds.

Still one of the four remaining fighters find themselves in a great position now,with the 3 pre tourney favorites out, to make some great paydays with future fights and sponsorship deals and also put themselves in a great position in the current Heavyweight scene.

Personally I don't think Reem's removal changes the course of the tournament. I think Silva would have beaten him anyway. Silva vs Barnett is the final for me.

I dont even think Overeem won his last fight in the previous round.



Seems certain for me the Overeem is ducking Bigfoot, he says that he's not injured but 8 weeks is not enough time to prepare, and he wants to go holidays......