Alistair Overeem
Encyclopedia
Alistair Cees Overeem is a British born Dutch
mixed martial artist and kickboxer, signed to the Ultimate Fighting Championship
. He is the former Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion, Dream Interim Heavyweight Champion, K-1 World Grand Prix Champion, and made history by being the only fighter in combat sports to hold a world title in both MMA and K-1 kickboxing at the same time. As of November 2010, Overeem is ranked as the #3 best heavyweight mixed martial artist in the world by Sherdog
, #3 by MMAWeekly, #3 by Yahoo! Sports
and #2 by FightMagazine.com.. Overeem will be facing Brock Lesnar
at UFC 141
in a five-round, non-title main event, for a chance at a heavyweight Championship fight against Junior Dos Santos
.
, England
. to a Jamaican father and Dutch
mother. His parents divorced when he was six years old. His mother, Clair, then moved Alistair and his brother Valentijn
to the Netherlands
, where Alistair has lived ever since.
As a child, Overeem competed in sports like judo
, athletics and basketball
. At 15 years of age, his brother Valentijn
took him to Chris Dolman's gym to learn how to defend himself. At first he didn't like to train, but after training with Bas Rutten
, Joop Kasteel
and others, he eventually learned to enjoy it.
by guillotine choke submission on at It's Showtime
, the first event of the eponymously named promotion.
and losing to future UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell
in the quarterfinal match. Overeem rebounded to defeat Tomohiko Hashimoto at the Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2003
in 36 seconds. On October 31, 2004 he fought Hiromitsu Kanehara
, defeating him by TKO part-way through the first round at Pride 28
. He lost his next fight against Brazilian Top Team
fighter Antônio Rogério Nogueira
.
In 2005, Overeem entered the Pride Middle Weight Grand Prix at Pride Total Elimination 2005
where he defeated former UFC light heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort
by submission in the opening round. Overeem would move on to fight Igor Vovchanchyn
in the quarterfinals at Pride Critical Countdown 2005
taking under two minutes to win by submission. Overeem lost in the semi-finals to the eventual champion Mauricio Rua
.
In February 2006, Overeem fought Russian Top Team favorite Sergei Kharitonov. Overeem won the fight, dislocating Kharitonov's shoulder in the process. With his win over Kharitonov, Overeem secured a spot in the Pride 2006 Open Weight Grand Prix at Pride Total Elimination Absolute
. He fought Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
specialist Fabricio Werdum
, losing via kimura in the second round.
to rematch Vitor Belfort
at Strikeforce: Revenge
. Despite being the main event, Overeem pulled out a decision win in a lackluster fight.
. Overeem entered the fight with a heavily taped neck. After controlling the first round and a half with his striking, Overeem was stumbled from a punch, Nogueira followed with a flurry of strikes. Worried Overeem would be more severely injured, his corner threw in the towel.
At Pride Final Conflict Absolute
, he lost to Ricardo Arona
. Overeem was on the receiving end of a leg kick that caused a non-serious injury to his nerves, causing him to lose feeling in his foot and leg. Unable to mount an offense or defend against Arona, Overeem tapped out to avoid further injury.
He then suffered another KO loss to Mauricio Rua
at Pride 33
, but returned in June 2007 with a submission win over Michael Knaap
at K-1 Grand Prix in Amsterdam (despite K-1
being a kickboxing promotion, the bout was fought under MMA rules).
On September 17, 2007, at Hero's 10: Middleweight Tournament Final Alistair faced Sergei Kharitonov again. Overeem showed solid movement as soon as the first round began, but he suffered a KO loss just before the end of the first round.
for the vacant Strikeforce
heavyweight title by submission due to knee strikes.
On June 15, 2008 Overeem won by KO in the first round against Lee Tae-Hyun
at Dream 4. On July 21, 2008, Overeem defeated K-1 World Grand Prix 2001
champion Mark Hunt
in the first round by submission at Dream 5.
His next fight was against Mirko Filipović
at Dream 6 on September 23, 2008. After almost half of the first round which saw Overeem taking down Filipovic multiple times and effectively striking from the top position, cutting his Croatian foe, the bout was stopped and declared a no contest due to Alistair landing multiple knees to the groin of Filipovic.
In a 2008 interview, Overeem has stated that he would like to fight in the UFC in the near future. Overeem would ideally like a rematch with Chuck Liddell to avenge his Pride Total Elimination 2003
knockout loss and Mirko Cro Cop to avenge his disappointing no-contest in Dream. Overeem was also seen at UFC 93
in Ireland talking to Dana White
and indicating he is "ready" to fight in the UFC.
Overeem was rumored to make his first title defense against Heavyweight Brett Rogers
on June 6 at Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields, however a hand injury scuttled plans for the fight. According to Golden Glory manager Bas Boon, Overeem had suffered a hand infection following a nightclub brawl early May 2009. According to Boon, Alistair and his brother Valentijn – both heavyweights – had been involved in an altercation that left five security staff needing hospital treatment and nearly cost Alistair his hand.
Overeem was scheduled to make his first Strikeforce Heavyweight Championship defense in a rematch against Fabricio Werdum
at Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg
, but had to pull out due to a hand injury, most likely caused from his nightclub brawl.
Alistair defeated Tony Sylvester
at Golden Glory's 10 year anniversary celebration with a standing guillotine choke. He used the same choke only 8 days later to submit MMA
journeyman
James Thompson
at Dream 12.
Overeem has stated that he wants a rubber match with Badr Hari
, only this time in an MMA bout.
Overeem was set to face Andrei Arlovski
at Dynamite!! 2009
but FEG instead opted to have him face, Kazuyuki Fujita
to keep with the Dream Vs. Sengoku theme. Overeem quickly overpowered his opponent and recorded a knockout with a knee to the head.
Overeem then faced Brett Rogers
on May 15, 2010 at Strikeforce: Heavy Artillery
to defend his Strikeforce Heavyweight Championship. He won the fight via TKO (punches) in the first round. In his post-fight interview, Alistair Overeem declared for another time that he wants to fight Fedor Emelianenko
, claiming that Fedor's management can no longer ignore his presence. The majority of Alistair Overeem's pre-fight training camp took place at the newly opened Golden Glory
Gym in Pattaya
, Thailand
, where "The Demolition Man" concentrated on the further improvement of his Muay Thai
skills.
Overeem faced Todd Duffee
on December 31, 2010 at Dynamite!! 2010
. Overeem defeated Duffee by way of knockout 19 seconds into the first round to win the Dream Interim Heavyweight Championship.
, Sergei Kharitonov, Brett Rogers
, Josh Barnett
, Andrei Arlovski
, Antonio Silva
and Fedor Emelianenko
.
A rematch with Fabricio Werdum
took place on June 18, 2011, at Strikeforce: Dallas as part of an eight-man heavyweight tournament. Overeem won by unanimous decision.
heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem was removed from the promotion’s 2011 heavyweight grand prix. Overeem went on to state that he felt the September date was too soon for him to return, and that he needed time to rest and heal after his June 18 quarterfinal decision win over Fabricio Werdum
. Overeem swapped out for unbeaten up-and-comer Daniel Cormier
. Subsequently, on July 29, it was announced that Overeem had been released from the Strikeforce organization as Zuffa exercised their right to eliminate the one remaining fight on his contract. It was revealed that the reason behind Overeem's release from Strikeforce was not due to his unwillingness to participate in the GP semi finals, but due to Golden Glory's policy requiring that the money fighters made through fights be paid through their management first.
This disagreement led not only to Overeem's release but also other Golden Glory stars under a Zuffa contract, including former Strikeforce Women's Bantamweight Champion Marloes Coenen
, Norwegian UFC heavyweight Jon Olav Einemo
, and even brother Valentijn Overeem
. Team Golden Glory leader Bas Boon stated he has since changed the policy, and that Alistair Overeem could come to the UFC under an exclusive deal, if the right terms are offered. Now it appears that Zuffa and Team Golden Glory are back on speaking terms, and UFC president Dana White is hoping to strike a deal with Overeem. “We’re talking to Overeem,” White confirmed. “Well, they’ve changed their opinions on how they can do business with us, so now we can.”
Ultimate Fighting Championship
After much speculation, on September 6, 2011, it was announced that he signed a contract with the UFC, and that his first fight would be against former UFC Heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar
on December 30, 2011 at UFC 141
. The winner of that fight will face current UFC Heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos
.
. Alistair was knocked out in both bouts and stayed with MMA from then on. He did not fight in K-1 for 4 more years.
On December 31, 2008 Overeem faced Badr Hari
, one of K-1's top contenders, under K-1 rules. He defeated Hari by way of knockout in the first round.
After that, he faced Remy Bonjasky
, the defending K-1 champion. Overeem came out aggressive in the first and second rounds, bullying Bonjasky and landing some impressive offense, but in the third was knocked down by a right hook from Bonjasky, who thereby secured a unanimous decision win. All three judges scored the bout 30–28.
On September 26 at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 Final 16, having been selected by fan voting after his impressive performances against Remy Bonjasky
and Badr Hari
, Overeem shocked the kickboxing world by achieving a huge upset. He defeated K-1's longest serving member, legendary 3-time champion Peter Aerts
by unanimous decision.
At the K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 Final
Overeem knocked out Kyokushin Karate Champion, Ewerton Teixeira
with a knee strike in the first round, but lost to Badr Hari
, via TKO from a head kick in the Semi Finals.
At the K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 in Yokohama Alistair Overeem defeated Dzevad Poturak via KO (right knee) in Round 1 at 2:40. Overeem defeated Ben Edwards
by TKO in the first round on October 2, 2010 at K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 Final 16
.
On December 11, at the Ariake Coliseum Alistair fought at and won the K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 Final
. In the quarter finals he beat Tyrone Spong
by Unanimous decision. In the semi finals he came face to face with his teammate Gokhan Saki
, who he defeated by first round TKO due to injury, breaking Saki's right arm with a hard left kick. Saki's arm was already injured as a result of his previous fight with Daniel Ghita. In the finals, he fought Peter Aerts
for the second time. Alistair came out aggressively and finished Peter in the first round.
. Overeem had a cameo in the music video for the song "Sexy and I Know It
" by LMFAO
in September 2011. He won a celebrity sumo
tournament in Japan in September 2011.
Kickboxing
Mixed martial arts
|-
| Win
|align=center| 35–11 (1)
| Fabricio Werdum
| Decision (unanimous)
| Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum
|
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 5:00
| Dallas, Texas
, United States
| .
|-
| Win
|align=center| 34–11 (1)
| Todd Duffee
| KO (knee & punches)
| Dynamite!! 2010
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 0:19
| Saitama, Saitama
, Japan
| Won the Dream Heavyweight Championship. Later vacated title.
|-
| Win
|align=center| 33–11 (1)
| Brett Rogers
| TKO (punches)
| Strikeforce: Heavy Artillery
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 3:40
| St. Louis, Missouri
, United States
| Defended the Strikeforce Heavyweight Championship. Later vacated title.
|-
| Win
|align=center| 32–11 (1)
| Kazuyuki Fujita
| KO (knee)
| Dynamite!! 2009
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:15
| Saitama, Saitama
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 31–11 (1)
| James Thompson
| Submission (guillotine choke)
| Dream 12
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 0:33
| Osaka, Osaka, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 30–11 (1)
| Tony Sylvester
| Submission (guillotine choke)
| Ultimate Glory 11: A Decade of Fights
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:23
| Amsterdam
, Netherlands
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 29–11 (1)
| Gary Goodridge
| Submission (kimura)
| Ultimate Glory 10: The Battle of Arnhem
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:42
| Arnhem
, Netherlands
|
|-
| NC
|align=center| 28–11 (1)
| Mirko Filipovic
| No contest (knee to the groin)
| Dream 6
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 6:09
| Saitama, Saitama
, Japan
| Overeem kneed Crocop two times in the groin
|-
| Win
|align=center| 28–11
| Mark Hunt
| Submission (keylock)
| Dream 5
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:11
| Osaka, Osaka, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 27–11
| Lee Tae-Hyun
| KO (punches & knee)
| Dream 4
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 0:36
| Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 26–11
| Paul Buentello
| Submission (knees to the body)
| Strikeforce: Four Men Enter, One Man Survives
|
|align=center| 2
|align=center| 3:42
| San Jose, California
, United States
| Won inaugural Strikeforce Heavyweight Championship
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 25–11
| Sergei Kharitonov
| KO (punch)
| Hero's 10
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 4:21
| Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 25–10
| Michael Knaap
| Submission (guillotine choke)
| K-1 World Grand Prix 2007 in Amsterdam
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 4:51
| Amsterdam
, Netherlands
| Moves up to Heavyweight full-time
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 24–10
| Mauricio Rua
| KO (punches)
| Pride 33
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 3:37
| Las Vegas, Nevada
, United States
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 24–9
| Ricardo Arona
| TKO (Punches)
| Pride Final Conflict Absolute
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 4:28
| Saitama, Saitama
, Japan
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 24–8
| Antônio Rogério Nogueira
| KO (Punches)
| Pride Critical Countdown Absolute
|
|align=center| 2
|align=center| 2:13
| Saitama, Saitama
, Japan
| Returns to Light Heavyweight
|-
| Win
|align=center| 24–7
| Vitor Belfort
| Decision (unanimous)
| Strikeforce: Revenge
|
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 5:00
| San Jose, California
, United States
| Fought at catchweight of 210 lb
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 23–7
| Fabricio Werdum
| Submission (kimura)
| Pride Total Elimination Absolute
|
|align=center| 2
|align=center| 3:43
| Osaka, Osaka, Japan
| Pride 2006 Openweight Grand Prix Opening Round
|-
| Win
|align=center| 23–6
| Nikolajus Cilkinas
| Submission (armbar)
| WCFC: No Guts, No Glory
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:42
| Manchester
, England
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 22–6
| Sergei Kharitonov
| TKO (knees)
| Pride 31
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 5:13
| Saitama, Saitama
, Japan
| Moves up to Heavyweight
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 21–6
| Mauricio Rua
| KO (punches)
| Pride Final Conflict 2005
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 6:42
| Saitama, Saitama
, Japan
| Pride 2005 Middleweight Grand Prix Semifinal
|-
| Win
|align=center| 21–5
| Igor Vovchanchyn
| Submission (guillotine choke)
| Pride Critical Countdown 2005
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:20
| Saitama, Saitama
, Japan
| Pride 2005 Middleweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal
|-
| Win
|align=center| 20–5
| Vitor Belfort
| Submission (guillotine choke)
| Pride Total Elimination 2005
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 9:36
| Osaka, Osaka, Japan
| Pride 2005 Middleweight Grand Prix Opening Round
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 19–5
| Antônio Rogério Nogueira
| KO (Punches)
| Pride 29
|
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 5:00
| Saitama, Saitama
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 19–4
| Hiromitsu Kanehara
| TKO (doctor stoppage)
| Pride 28
|
|align=center| 2
|align=center| 3:52
| Saitama, Saitama
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 18–4
| Rodney Faverus
| Submission (guillotine choke)
| 2 Hot 2 Handle
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| N/A
| Rotterdam
, Netherlands
| Wins 2H2H Light-Heavyweight Championship
|-
| Win
|align=center| 17–4
| Tomohiko Hashimoto
| TKO (Knees and punches)
| Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2003
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 0:36
| Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 16–4
| Chuck Liddell
| KO (punches)
| Pride Total Elimination 2003
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 3:09
| Osaka, Osaka, Japan
| Pride 2003 Middleweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal.
|-
| Win
|align=center| 16–3
| Mike Bencic
| Submission (knee to the body and punches)
| Pride 26
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 3:44
| Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 15–3
| Aaron Brink
| Submission (guillotine choke)
| 2H2H 6: Simply the Best 6
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 0:53
| Rotterdam
, Netherlands
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 14–3
| Bazigit Atajev
| TKO (knee to the body)
| Pride 24
|
|align=center| 2
|align=center| 4:59
| Fukuoka, Fukuoka
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 13–3
| Dave Vader
| TKO (doctor stoppage)
| 2H2H 5: Simply the Best 5
|
|align=center| 2
|align=center| N/A
| Rotterdam
, Netherlands
| 2H2H Light Heavyweight Tournament Final
|-
| Win
|align=center| 12–3
| Moise Rimbon
| Submission (triangle choke)
| 2H2H 5: Simply the Best 5
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:03
| Rotterdam
, Netherlands
| 2H2H Light Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal
|-
| Win
|align=center| 11–3
| Yusuke Imamura
| TKO (knee and punches)
| Pride The Best Vol.2
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 0:44
| Tokyo
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 10–3
| Vesa Vuori
| TKO (punches)
| 2 Hot 2 Handle: Germany
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 2:15
| Krefeld
, Germany
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 9–3
| Sergey Kaznovsky
| Submission (armbar)
| M-1 Mix-Fight Championship: Russia vs. The World 3
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 3:37
| Saint Petersburg
, Russia
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 8–3
| Roman Zentsov
| Submission (keylock)
| 2H2H 4: Simply the Best 4
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:26
| Rotterdam
, Netherlands
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 7–3
| Stanislav Nuschik
| TKO (knees)
| 2H2H 2: Simply The Best
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 0:53
| Rotterdam
, Netherlands
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 6–3
| Vladimer Tchanturia
| Submission (rear naked choke)
| Rings: King of Kings 2000 Final
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:06
| Tokyo
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 5–3
| Peter Verschuren
| Submission (keylock)
| It's Showtime: Christmas Edition
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:06
| Haarlem
, Netherlands
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 4–3
| Bobby Hoffman
| KO (punches)
| Rings: Millennium Combine 2
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 9:39
| Tokyo
, Japan
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 4–2
| Yuriy Kochkine
| Decision (split)
| Rings Russia: Russia vs. The World
|
|align=center| 2
|align=center| 5:00
| Yekaterinburg
, Russia
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 4–1
| Yasuhito Namekawa
| Submission (armbar)
| Rings: Millennium Combine 1
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 0:45
| Tokyo
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 3–1
| Can Sahinbas
| KO (knee)
| 2 Hot 2 Handle 1
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 2:21
| Rotterdam
, Netherlands
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 2–1
| Chris Watts
| KO (knee to the body)
| Rings Holland: There Can Only Be One Champion
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 3:58
| Utrecht
, Netherlands
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 1–1
| Yuriy Kochkine
| Decision (majority)
| Rings: King of Kings 1999 Block A
|
|align=center| 2
|align=center| 5:00
| Tokyo
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 1–0
| Ricardo Fyeet
| Submission (guillotine choke)
| It's Showtime - It's Showtime
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:39
| Haarlem
, Netherlands
|
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Result
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Record
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Opponent
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Method
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Event
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Date
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Notes
|-
|Win
|3–0
|
Mikael Grothe
|(Submission: Guillotine Choke)
|ADCC European Trials
|January 25, 2005
| −98.9 kg Final
|-
|Win
|2–0
|
Andreas Olsen
|(Submission: Guillotine Choke)
|ADCC European Trials
|January 25, 2005
| −98.9 kg
|-
|Win
|1–0
| Arben Latifi
|(Submission: Guillotine Choke)
|ADCC European Trials
|January 25, 2005
| −98.9 kg
|-
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
mixed martial artist and kickboxer, signed to the Ultimate Fighting Championship
Ultimate Fighting Championship
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is the largest mixed martial arts promotion company in the world that hosts most of the top-ranked fighters in the sport...
. He is the former Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion, Dream Interim Heavyweight Champion, K-1 World Grand Prix Champion, and made history by being the only fighter in combat sports to hold a world title in both MMA and K-1 kickboxing at the same time. As of November 2010, Overeem is ranked as the #3 best heavyweight mixed martial artist in the world by Sherdog
Sherdog
Sherdog is an American website devoted to the sport of mixed martial arts . The site is a member of the Crave Online network and provides MMA related content for ESPN.com.- History :...
, #3 by MMAWeekly, #3 by Yahoo! Sports
Yahoo! Sports
Yahoo! Sports was launched on December 8, 1997. It receives a majority of its information from STATS, Inc., employs various writers, and has team pages for teams in almost every North American sport...
and #2 by FightMagazine.com.. Overeem will be facing Brock Lesnar
Brock Lesnar
Brock Edward Lesnar is an American mixed martial artist, actor and a former professional and amateur wrestler. He is a former UFC Heavyweight Champion and is ranked the No.5 Heavyweight in the world by Sherdog...
at UFC 141
UFC 141
UFC 141: Lesnar vs. Overeem is an upcoming mixed martial arts event to be held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on December 30, 2011, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.-Background:...
in a five-round, non-title main event, for a chance at a heavyweight Championship fight against Junior Dos Santos
Junior dos Santos
Junior dos Santos Almeida, also known as Junior Cigano , is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist and the current UFC Heavyweight Champion. Dos Santos fights in the Heavyweight division, under the tutelage of former UFC and Pride Heavyweight Champion Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira and UFC...
.
Biography
Overeem was born on May 17, 1980 in HounslowHounslow
Hounslow is the principal town in the London Borough of Hounslow. It is a suburban development situated 10.6 miles west south-west of Charing Cross. It forms a post town in the TW postcode area.-Etymology:...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. to a Jamaican father and Dutch
Dutch people
The Dutch people are an ethnic group native to the Netherlands. They share a common culture and speak the Dutch language. Dutch people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in Suriname, Chile, Brazil, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United...
mother. His parents divorced when he was six years old. His mother, Clair, then moved Alistair and his brother Valentijn
Valentijn Overeem
Valentijn Overeem is a Dutch mixed martial artist who competes as a heavyweight. He has previously competed for the PRIDE Fighting Championships, RINGS and Strikeforce...
to the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, where Alistair has lived ever since.
As a child, Overeem competed in sports like judo
Judo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
, athletics and basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
. At 15 years of age, his brother Valentijn
Valentijn Overeem
Valentijn Overeem is a Dutch mixed martial artist who competes as a heavyweight. He has previously competed for the PRIDE Fighting Championships, RINGS and Strikeforce...
took him to Chris Dolman's gym to learn how to defend himself. At first he didn't like to train, but after training with Bas Rutten
Bas Rutten
Sebastiaan "Bas" Rutten is a retired Dutch mixed martial artist, Karate and Taekwondo blackbelt, and kickboxer. He was a UFC Heavyweight Champion, a three time King of Pancrase world champion, and finished his career on a 22 fight unbeaten streak...
, Joop Kasteel
Joop Kasteel
Joop Kasteel is a former Dutch mixed martial artist. Kasteel made his mixed martial arts debut on 15 June 1996. He is a veteran of the RINGS promotion and as he has fought the majority of his fights for them....
and others, he eventually learned to enjoy it.
Mixed martial arts career
Overeem had his first MMA professional fight at 19 years old, defeating Ricardo FyeetRicardo Fyeet
Ricardo Fyeet is a Dutch Kick boxer and former mixed martial arts fighter. He debuted for RINGS Holland in 1998, defeating Andrew Keja by knockout...
by guillotine choke submission on at It's Showtime
It's Showtime
It's Showtime is a kickboxing and mixed martial arts promotion based in Amsterdam, Netherlands. It was founded by Simon Rutz in 1998 and held its first show in 1999. They are known to cross promote their events with K-1 and other European promotions from Italy, Belgium and England...
, the first event of the eponymously named promotion.
Early MMA Career
After posting a 10–3 record in promotions such as RINGS, Overeem debuted in Pride Fighting Championships on July 20, 2002, defeating Yusuke Imamura by TKO in just 45 seconds.Pride FC
Overeem would win two more fights in Pride before entering the 2003 Pride Middleweight Grand Prix at Pride Total Elimination 2003PRIDE Total Elimination 2003
PRIDE Total Elimination 2003 was a mixed martial arts event held by PRIDE Fighting Championships. It took place at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan on August 10, 2003. This event was host to the quarterfinals of the 2003 PRIDE Middleweight Grand Prix tournament...
and losing to future UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell
Chuck Liddell
Charles David "Chuck" Liddell is a retired American mixed martial artist and former Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight champion. Liddell has an extensive striking background in Kempo, Koei-Kan karate and kickboxing, as well as a grappling background in collegiate wrestling.As of his...
in the quarterfinal match. Overeem rebounded to defeat Tomohiko Hashimoto at the Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2003
Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2003
Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2003: Inoki Festival was a mixed martial arts and kickboxing event promoted by Antonio Inoki on December 31, 2003 at the Kobe Wing Stadium in Kobe, Japan. It was the follow-up to Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2001 and Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2002...
in 36 seconds. On October 31, 2004 he fought Hiromitsu Kanehara
Hiromitsu Kanehara
is a Japanese mixed martial artist who competes in the light heavyweight division.Although starting as a professional wrestler in 1991, Kanehara did not have much success as such, and eventually abandoned professional wrestling when his then-home circuit, Fighting Network RINGS, abandoned the...
, defeating him by TKO part-way through the first round at Pride 28
PRIDE 28
Pride 28: High Octane was a mixed martial arts event held by the Pride Fighting Championships. It took place at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan on October 31, 2004.- Heath Herring vs. Hirotaka Yokoi:...
. He lost his next fight against Brazilian Top Team
Brazilian Top Team
The Brazilian Top Team is a mixed martial arts academy specializing in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and boxing.The academy was established in April 2000 by Murilo Bustamante, Ricardo Libório, Mário Sperry and Luis Roberto Duarte, former-members of the Carlson Gracie Academy, to develop and create new...
fighter Antônio Rogério Nogueira
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
Antônio Rogério Nogueira is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist currently signed with the UFC. He is the twin brother of Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira. A proficient amateur boxer, he was the 2006 and 2007 Brazilian Super Heavyweight Champion. He also won a bronze medal in the 2007 Pan...
.
In 2005, Overeem entered the Pride Middle Weight Grand Prix at Pride Total Elimination 2005
PRIDE Total Elimination 2005
Pride Total Elimination 2005 was a mixed martial arts event held by Pride Fighting Championships. This event marked the first round of the Middleweight tournament...
where he defeated former UFC light heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort
Vitor Belfort
Vítor Vieira Belfort is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. Belfort was born in Rio de Janeiro and studied jiu-jitsu with the Gracie family, namely Carlson Gracie. He received a black belt under Carlson and currently trains with Xtreme Couture, fighting in...
by submission in the opening round. Overeem would move on to fight Igor Vovchanchyn
Igor Vovchanchyn
Igor Yaroslavovich "Ice Cold" Vovchanchyn is a retired Ukrainian mixed martial artist and kickboxer. He won seven mixed martial arts tournaments, as well as acquiring a 37 fight unbeaten streak, and reaching the final of the Pride Grand Prix 2000....
in the quarterfinals at Pride Critical Countdown 2005
PRIDE Critical Countdown 2005
Pride Critical Countdown 2005 was a mixed martial arts event held by the Pride Fighting Championships. It took place at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, on June 26th, 2005.-Background:...
taking under two minutes to win by submission. Overeem lost in the semi-finals to the eventual champion Mauricio Rua
Mauricio Rua
Maurício Milani Rua is a Brazilian mixed martial artist fighting in the Ultimate Fighting Championship where he is a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion...
.
In February 2006, Overeem fought Russian Top Team favorite Sergei Kharitonov. Overeem won the fight, dislocating Kharitonov's shoulder in the process. With his win over Kharitonov, Overeem secured a spot in the Pride 2006 Open Weight Grand Prix at Pride Total Elimination Absolute
PRIDE Total Elimination Absolute
Pride Total Elimination Absolute was a mixed martial arts event held by the Pride Fighting Championships. It took place at the Osaka Dome in Osaka, Japan on May 5, 2006.-Background:...
. He fought Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art, combat sport, and a self defense system that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting...
specialist Fabricio Werdum
Fabricio Werdum
Fabricio Werdum is a Brazilian mixed martial artist, a two-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion, a two-time ADCC world heavyweight champion and European Jiu-Jitsu champion. He holds black belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, and Muay Thai. Werdum has competed in Pride Fighting Championships, the...
, losing via kimura in the second round.
Debut in Strikeforce
After his loss, Overeem traveled to San Jose, CaliforniaSan Jose, California
San Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay...
to rematch Vitor Belfort
Vitor Belfort
Vítor Vieira Belfort is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. Belfort was born in Rio de Janeiro and studied jiu-jitsu with the Gracie family, namely Carlson Gracie. He received a black belt under Carlson and currently trains with Xtreme Couture, fighting in...
at Strikeforce: Revenge
Strikeforce: Revenge
Strikeforce: Revenge was the second mixed martial arts event promoted by Strikeforce. The event took place at the HP Pavilion at San Jose in San Jose, California on June 9, 2006. The main event featured the North American debut of Alistair Overeem....
. Despite being the main event, Overeem pulled out a decision win in a lackluster fight.
Return to Pride
A month later Overeem returned to Pride for a highly anticipated rematch with Antônio Rogério NogueiraAntonio Rogerio Nogueira
Antônio Rogério Nogueira is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist currently signed with the UFC. He is the twin brother of Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira. A proficient amateur boxer, he was the 2006 and 2007 Brazilian Super Heavyweight Champion. He also won a bronze medal in the 2007 Pan...
. Overeem entered the fight with a heavily taped neck. After controlling the first round and a half with his striking, Overeem was stumbled from a punch, Nogueira followed with a flurry of strikes. Worried Overeem would be more severely injured, his corner threw in the towel.
At Pride Final Conflict Absolute
PRIDE Final Conflict Absolute
Pride Final Conflict Absolute was a mixed martial arts event held by the Pride Fighting Championships. It took place at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan on September 10, 2006.-Background:...
, he lost to Ricardo Arona
Ricardo Arona
Ricardo Arona is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and PRIDE FC Middleweight Grand Prix finalist. He has competed in PRIDE Fighting Championships and RINGS in his mixed martial arts career, and is a member of Brazilian Top Team.-Abu Dhabi and RINGS:...
. Overeem was on the receiving end of a leg kick that caused a non-serious injury to his nerves, causing him to lose feeling in his foot and leg. Unable to mount an offense or defend against Arona, Overeem tapped out to avoid further injury.
He then suffered another KO loss to Mauricio Rua
Mauricio Rua
Maurício Milani Rua is a Brazilian mixed martial artist fighting in the Ultimate Fighting Championship where he is a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion...
at Pride 33
PRIDE 33
Pride 33: The Second Coming was a mixed martial arts event held by Pride Fighting Championships on February 24, 2007 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.-Background:...
, but returned in June 2007 with a submission win over Michael Knaap
Michael Knaap
Michael Knaap is a Dutch mixed martial artist currently competing at Heavyweight. A professional MMA competitor since 2001, Knaap mainly competes in his home country of The Netherlands...
at K-1 Grand Prix in Amsterdam (despite K-1
K-1
K-1 is a defunct world-wide kickboxing promotion based in Tokyo, Japan founded by Kazuyoshi Ishii, a formerKyokushin karate practitioner. K-1 combines stand up techniques from Muay Thai, Karate, Taekwondo, Savate, San Shou, kickboxing, western-style boxing, and other martial arts...
being a kickboxing promotion, the bout was fought under MMA rules).
On September 17, 2007, at Hero's 10: Middleweight Tournament Final Alistair faced Sergei Kharitonov again. Overeem showed solid movement as soon as the first round began, but he suffered a KO loss just before the end of the first round.
Return to Strikeforce/Dream/Dynamite
On November 16, 2007, Overeem defeated Paul BuentelloPaul Buentello
|-| Loss|align=center| 29–14| Cole Konrad| Decision | Bellator 48| |align=center| 3|align=center| 5:00|Uncasville, Connecticut, United States| Non-title bout.|-| Win|align=center| 29–13| Kerry Schall| Decision...
for the vacant Strikeforce
Strikeforce
Strikeforce is a U.S.-based mixed martial arts and kickboxing organization based in San Jose, California. It is headed by CEO Scott Coker and owned by Zuffa, LLC...
heavyweight title by submission due to knee strikes.
On June 15, 2008 Overeem won by KO in the first round against Lee Tae-Hyun
Lee Tae-Hyun
Lee Tae-Hyun , is a South Korean ssireum wrestler and later mixed martial artist. His ssireum record included 472 wins, the best overall winning record in Korean ssireum competition.-Ssireum:...
at Dream 4. On July 21, 2008, Overeem defeated K-1 World Grand Prix 2001
K-1 World Grand Prix 2001
K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 Final was a kickboxing event promoted by the K-1. The event was held at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan on Saturday, December 8, 2001 in front of 65,000 spectators. It was the ninth K-1 Grand Prix final, involving eight of the world's top fighters, with all bouts fought...
champion Mark Hunt
Mark Hunt
Mark Hunt ; is a New Zealand kickboxer and mixed martial artist of Samoan descent, currently living in Sydney, Australia. Hunt competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and is known for his raw strength, iron chin and knockout power. He won the K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 Final...
in the first round by submission at Dream 5.
His next fight was against Mirko Filipović
Mirko Filipovic
Mirko Filipović is a former Croatian heavyweight kickboxer, mixed martial artist, politician, and law enforcement officer. Filipović was a member of the Croatian Parliament from 2003 through 2007...
at Dream 6 on September 23, 2008. After almost half of the first round which saw Overeem taking down Filipovic multiple times and effectively striking from the top position, cutting his Croatian foe, the bout was stopped and declared a no contest due to Alistair landing multiple knees to the groin of Filipovic.
In a 2008 interview, Overeem has stated that he would like to fight in the UFC in the near future. Overeem would ideally like a rematch with Chuck Liddell to avenge his Pride Total Elimination 2003
PRIDE Total Elimination 2003
PRIDE Total Elimination 2003 was a mixed martial arts event held by PRIDE Fighting Championships. It took place at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan on August 10, 2003. This event was host to the quarterfinals of the 2003 PRIDE Middleweight Grand Prix tournament...
knockout loss and Mirko Cro Cop to avenge his disappointing no-contest in Dream. Overeem was also seen at UFC 93
UFC 93
UFC 93: Franklin vs. Henderson was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on January 17, 2009 at The O2, Dublin in Dublin, Ireland....
in Ireland talking to Dana White
Dana White
Dana White is the current President of the Ultimate Fighting Championship , a mixed martial arts organization based in the United States.- Biography :...
and indicating he is "ready" to fight in the UFC.
Overeem was rumored to make his first title defense against Heavyweight Brett Rogers
Brett Rogers
Brett Charles Rogers is an African-American mixed martial artist who fights in the heavyweight division. Rogers has fought in EliteXC and Strikeforce.-Biography:...
on June 6 at Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields, however a hand injury scuttled plans for the fight. According to Golden Glory manager Bas Boon, Overeem had suffered a hand infection following a nightclub brawl early May 2009. According to Boon, Alistair and his brother Valentijn – both heavyweights – had been involved in an altercation that left five security staff needing hospital treatment and nearly cost Alistair his hand.
Overeem was scheduled to make his first Strikeforce Heavyweight Championship defense in a rematch against Fabricio Werdum
Fabricio Werdum
Fabricio Werdum is a Brazilian mixed martial artist, a two-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion, a two-time ADCC world heavyweight champion and European Jiu-Jitsu champion. He holds black belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, and Muay Thai. Werdum has competed in Pride Fighting Championships, the...
at Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg
Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg
Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg was a mixed martial arts event held by Strikeforce. It was held in San Jose, California on August 15, 2009. The event aired live on the Showtime cable network and marked the first time two women headlined a major MMA event....
, but had to pull out due to a hand injury, most likely caused from his nightclub brawl.
Alistair defeated Tony Sylvester
Tony Sylvester
Anthony Sylvester is an American mixed martial artist. He's an Ohio-based fighter who's fought throughout the Midwest and Ohio...
at Golden Glory's 10 year anniversary celebration with a standing guillotine choke. He used the same choke only 8 days later to submit MMA
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
journeyman
Journeyman (sports)
A journeyman or journeywoman is an athlete or professional sports player who is technically competent, but unable to excel. In certain parts of the world the term has less negative connotations and the inability to excel is not needed for a player to be labelled thus.-Definitions:Alexandra Allred...
James Thompson
James Thompson (fighter)
James Thompson is an English mixed martial artist. He fights as a heavyweight and has appeared in such promotions as Elite Xtreme Combat , Pride Fighting Championship, and Cage Rage. He is known for rushing his opponents at the start of the bout.-Biography:James Thompson grew up in Rochdale,...
at Dream 12.
Overeem has stated that he wants a rubber match with Badr Hari
Badr Hari
Badr "The Golden Boy" Hari is a Moroccan-Dutch super heavyweight kickboxer, fighting out of Mike's Gym in Amsterdam. He is a former K-1 Heavyweight champion and K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 finalist. As of May 2011, Hari is ranked the #2 heavyweight in the world by LiverKick.com...
, only this time in an MMA bout.
Overeem was set to face Andrei Arlovski
Andrei Arlovski
Andrei Valeryevich Arlovski is a Belarusian kickboxer, mixed martial artist and a former Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight champion.-Biography:...
at Dynamite!! 2009
Dynamite!! 2009
Dynamite!! 2009 was a mixed martial arts and kickboxing events promoted by Fighting and Entertainment Group, held in the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan on December 31, 2009. The event included bouts that encompass the DREAM, Sengoku Raiden Championship, K-1, and K-1 World MAX banners...
but FEG instead opted to have him face, Kazuyuki Fujita
Kazuyuki Fujita
is a Japanese professional wrestler, mixed martial artist and a former amateur wrestler. He has fought in mixed martial arts promotions including PRIDE, K-1 and currently fighting in Sengoku....
to keep with the Dream Vs. Sengoku theme. Overeem quickly overpowered his opponent and recorded a knockout with a knee to the head.
Overeem then faced Brett Rogers
Brett Rogers
Brett Charles Rogers is an African-American mixed martial artist who fights in the heavyweight division. Rogers has fought in EliteXC and Strikeforce.-Biography:...
on May 15, 2010 at Strikeforce: Heavy Artillery
Strikeforce: Heavy Artillery
Strikeforce: Heavy Artillery was a mixed martial arts event held by Strikeforce on May 15, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri, United States at the Scottrade Center...
to defend his Strikeforce Heavyweight Championship. He won the fight via TKO (punches) in the first round. In his post-fight interview, Alistair Overeem declared for another time that he wants to fight Fedor Emelianenko
Fedor Emelianenko
Fedor Vladimirovich Emelianenko) is a Russian heavyweight mixed martial artist. He has won numerous tournaments and accolades in multiple sports, most notably the Pride 2004 Grand Prix and the World Combat Sambo championship on four occasions, as well as medaling in the Russian national Judo...
, claiming that Fedor's management can no longer ignore his presence. The majority of Alistair Overeem's pre-fight training camp took place at the newly opened Golden Glory
Golden Glory
Golden Glory is a Muay Thai, kickboxing, and mixed martial arts camp, as well as a management team based in the Netherlands. With their primary fighter roster based out of Europe, Golden Glory has managed fighters from all over the world, such as American former team member, Heath Herring.Golden...
Gym in Pattaya
Pattaya
Pattaya is a city in Thailand, located on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, about 165 km southeast of Bangkok located within but not part of Amphoe Bang Lamung in the province of Chonburi....
, Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
, where "The Demolition Man" concentrated on the further improvement of his Muay Thai
Muay Thai
Muay Thai is a combat sport from Thailand that uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques. It is similar to other Indochinese kickboxing systems, namely pradal serey from Cambodia, tomoi from Malaysia, lethwei from Myanmar and muay Lao from Laos...
skills.
Overeem faced Todd Duffee
Todd Duffee
Todd Duffee is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the heavyweight division. Duffee fought for the Ultimate Fighting Championship until his surprise release in September 2010, which came as a result of an apparent dispute with UFC President Dana White.-Background:Duffee was born in...
on December 31, 2010 at Dynamite!! 2010
Dynamite!! 2010
Dynamite!! 2010 was a mixed martial arts and kickboxing event and the latest in the annual New Year's Eve event promoted by Fighting and Entertainment Group that took place on December 31, 2010 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. The event included bouts that encompass the DREAM, K-1 and...
. Overeem defeated Duffee by way of knockout 19 seconds into the first round to win the Dream Interim Heavyweight Championship.
Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix
In early 2011, Alistair Overeem was named as one of 8 men that will take part of the Strikeforce Heavyweight GP, alongside rivals Fabricio WerdumFabricio Werdum
Fabricio Werdum is a Brazilian mixed martial artist, a two-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion, a two-time ADCC world heavyweight champion and European Jiu-Jitsu champion. He holds black belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, and Muay Thai. Werdum has competed in Pride Fighting Championships, the...
, Sergei Kharitonov, Brett Rogers
Brett Rogers
Brett Charles Rogers is an African-American mixed martial artist who fights in the heavyweight division. Rogers has fought in EliteXC and Strikeforce.-Biography:...
, Josh Barnett
Josh Barnett
Joshua Lawrence Barnett is an American mixed martial artist and professional wrestler who currently fights in the heavyweight division of Strikeforce. Barnett has been an accomplished fighter in mixed martial arts, winning the UFC Heavyweight Championship and the King of Pancrase Openweight...
, Andrei Arlovski
Andrei Arlovski
Andrei Valeryevich Arlovski is a Belarusian kickboxer, mixed martial artist and a former Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight champion.-Biography:...
, Antonio Silva
António Silva
António Maria da Silva was a Portuguese actor. He accumulated over 40 credits over his more than 50 years in acting.-Early life:...
and Fedor Emelianenko
Fedor Emelianenko
Fedor Vladimirovich Emelianenko) is a Russian heavyweight mixed martial artist. He has won numerous tournaments and accolades in multiple sports, most notably the Pride 2004 Grand Prix and the World Combat Sambo championship on four occasions, as well as medaling in the Russian national Judo...
.
A rematch with Fabricio Werdum
Fabricio Werdum
Fabricio Werdum is a Brazilian mixed martial artist, a two-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion, a two-time ADCC world heavyweight champion and European Jiu-Jitsu champion. He holds black belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, and Muay Thai. Werdum has competed in Pride Fighting Championships, the...
took place on June 18, 2011, at Strikeforce: Dallas as part of an eight-man heavyweight tournament. Overeem won by unanimous decision.
Removal from GP/Strikeforce
On July 17, it was announced StrikeforceStrikeforce
Strikeforce is a U.S.-based mixed martial arts and kickboxing organization based in San Jose, California. It is headed by CEO Scott Coker and owned by Zuffa, LLC...
heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem was removed from the promotion’s 2011 heavyweight grand prix. Overeem went on to state that he felt the September date was too soon for him to return, and that he needed time to rest and heal after his June 18 quarterfinal decision win over Fabricio Werdum
Fabricio Werdum
Fabricio Werdum is a Brazilian mixed martial artist, a two-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion, a two-time ADCC world heavyweight champion and European Jiu-Jitsu champion. He holds black belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, and Muay Thai. Werdum has competed in Pride Fighting Championships, the...
. Overeem swapped out for unbeaten up-and-comer Daniel Cormier
Daniel Cormier
Daniel Cormier is an undefeated American mixed martial artist and a former Olympic wrestler. He is currently signed to Strikeforce, fighting in the heavyweight division...
. Subsequently, on July 29, it was announced that Overeem had been released from the Strikeforce organization as Zuffa exercised their right to eliminate the one remaining fight on his contract. It was revealed that the reason behind Overeem's release from Strikeforce was not due to his unwillingness to participate in the GP semi finals, but due to Golden Glory's policy requiring that the money fighters made through fights be paid through their management first.
This disagreement led not only to Overeem's release but also other Golden Glory stars under a Zuffa contract, including former Strikeforce Women's Bantamweight Champion Marloes Coenen
Marloes Coenen
Marloes Coenen is a Dutch mixed martial artist. She has competed professionally since 2000 and is a former Strikeforce Women's Bantamweight Champion....
, Norwegian UFC heavyweight Jon Olav Einemo
Jon Olav Einemo
|-| Loss|align=center| 6–2| Dave Herman| TKO | UFC 131| |align=center| 2|align=center| 3:19|Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada| Won Fight of the Night honors|-| Win|align=center| 6–1| James Thompson| Submission...
, and even brother Valentijn Overeem
Valentijn Overeem
Valentijn Overeem is a Dutch mixed martial artist who competes as a heavyweight. He has previously competed for the PRIDE Fighting Championships, RINGS and Strikeforce...
. Team Golden Glory leader Bas Boon stated he has since changed the policy, and that Alistair Overeem could come to the UFC under an exclusive deal, if the right terms are offered. Now it appears that Zuffa and Team Golden Glory are back on speaking terms, and UFC president Dana White is hoping to strike a deal with Overeem. “We’re talking to Overeem,” White confirmed. “Well, they’ve changed their opinions on how they can do business with us, so now we can.”
Ultimate Fighting ChampionshipUltimate Fighting ChampionshipThe Ultimate Fighting Championship is the largest mixed martial arts promotion company in the world that hosts most of the top-ranked fighters in the sport...
After much speculation, on September 6, 2011, it was announced that he signed a contract with the UFC, and that his first fight would be against former UFC Heavyweight champion Brock LesnarBrock Lesnar
Brock Edward Lesnar is an American mixed martial artist, actor and a former professional and amateur wrestler. He is a former UFC Heavyweight Champion and is ranked the No.5 Heavyweight in the world by Sherdog...
on December 30, 2011 at UFC 141
UFC 141
UFC 141: Lesnar vs. Overeem is an upcoming mixed martial arts event to be held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on December 30, 2011, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.-Background:...
. The winner of that fight will face current UFC Heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos
Junior dos Santos
Junior dos Santos Almeida, also known as Junior Cigano , is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist and the current UFC Heavyweight Champion. Dos Santos fights in the Heavyweight division, under the tutelage of former UFC and Pride Heavyweight Champion Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira and UFC...
.
Kickboxing career
Overeem had his first professional kickboxing fight at 17 years old, in a K-1 rules fight on . After that he fought against Paul Hordijk, winning by decision on . Alistair then moved onto K-1, having two K-1 Kickboxing fights in 6 years against Errol Parris and Glaube FeitosaGlaube Feitosa
Glaube "Brazilian Warrior" Feitosa is a Brazilian former kickboxer and a kyokushin full contact karate practitioner who was competing in K-1. In 2005 Feitosa won K-1 World Grand Prix 2005 in Las Vegas tournament and was the K-1 World Grand Prix 2005 finalist...
. Alistair was knocked out in both bouts and stayed with MMA from then on. He did not fight in K-1 for 4 more years.
On December 31, 2008 Overeem faced Badr Hari
Badr Hari
Badr "The Golden Boy" Hari is a Moroccan-Dutch super heavyweight kickboxer, fighting out of Mike's Gym in Amsterdam. He is a former K-1 Heavyweight champion and K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 finalist. As of May 2011, Hari is ranked the #2 heavyweight in the world by LiverKick.com...
, one of K-1's top contenders, under K-1 rules. He defeated Hari by way of knockout in the first round.
After that, he faced Remy Bonjasky
Remy Bonjasky
Remy "The Flying Gentleman" Bonjasky is a Dutch super heavyweight kickboxer of Surinamese descent. He is a three-time K-1 World Grand Prix champion, who has won the title in 2003, 2004, and 2008...
, the defending K-1 champion. Overeem came out aggressive in the first and second rounds, bullying Bonjasky and landing some impressive offense, but in the third was knocked down by a right hook from Bonjasky, who thereby secured a unanimous decision win. All three judges scored the bout 30–28.
On September 26 at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 Final 16, having been selected by fan voting after his impressive performances against Remy Bonjasky
Remy Bonjasky
Remy "The Flying Gentleman" Bonjasky is a Dutch super heavyweight kickboxer of Surinamese descent. He is a three-time K-1 World Grand Prix champion, who has won the title in 2003, 2004, and 2008...
and Badr Hari
Badr Hari
Badr "The Golden Boy" Hari is a Moroccan-Dutch super heavyweight kickboxer, fighting out of Mike's Gym in Amsterdam. He is a former K-1 Heavyweight champion and K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 finalist. As of May 2011, Hari is ranked the #2 heavyweight in the world by LiverKick.com...
, Overeem shocked the kickboxing world by achieving a huge upset. He defeated K-1's longest serving member, legendary 3-time champion Peter Aerts
Peter Aerts
Peter "The Dutch Lumberjack" Aerts is a Dutch super heavyweight kickboxer. He is a three-time K-1 World Grand Prix and Muay Thai World Champion. Aerts is best known for his powerful strikes and high kicks.- Biography :...
by unanimous decision.
At the K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 Final
K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 Final
K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 Final was a martial arts event held by the K-1 on Saturday December 5, 2009 at the Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Japan. It was the 17th K-1 World GP Final, the culmination of a year full of regional elimination tournaments...
Overeem knocked out Kyokushin Karate Champion, Ewerton Teixeira
Ewerton Teixeira
Ewerton Teixeira is a Brazilian Super Heavyweight kyokushin karateka and kickboxer, currently competing in K-1. He obtained his first K-1 title in 2008 at K-1 World Grand Prix 2008 in Fukuoka by beating Keijiro Maeda in the final...
with a knee strike in the first round, but lost to Badr Hari
Badr Hari
Badr "The Golden Boy" Hari is a Moroccan-Dutch super heavyweight kickboxer, fighting out of Mike's Gym in Amsterdam. He is a former K-1 Heavyweight champion and K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 finalist. As of May 2011, Hari is ranked the #2 heavyweight in the world by LiverKick.com...
, via TKO from a head kick in the Semi Finals.
At the K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 in Yokohama Alistair Overeem defeated Dzevad Poturak via KO (right knee) in Round 1 at 2:40. Overeem defeated Ben Edwards
Ben Edwards (kickboxer)
Ben "The Guvner" Edwards is an Australian Super Heavyweight kickboxer and Heavyweight boxer. He is the current K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 in Canberra tournament champion...
by TKO in the first round on October 2, 2010 at K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 Final 16
K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 in Seoul Final 16
K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 in Seoul Final 16 was a martial arts event held by the K-1 on Saturday, October 2, 2010 at the Olympic Gymnastics Arena in Seoul, Korea. It was the Final Elimination tournament for top sixteen fighters...
.
On December 11, at the Ariake Coliseum Alistair fought at and won the K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 Final
K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 Final
K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 Final was a martial arts event that was held by the K-1 on Saturday, December 11, 2010. It was the 18th K-1 World GP Final, the culmination of a year full of regional elimination tournaments...
. In the quarter finals he beat Tyrone Spong
Tyrone Spong
Tyrone "King of The Ring" Spong is a Dutch-Surinamese kickboxer. He is the reigning WFCA Cruiserweight Muay Thai and the former It's Showtime 95MAX World champion, fighting out of Fighting Factory Carbin in Amsterdam, Netherlands....
by Unanimous decision. In the semi finals he came face to face with his teammate Gokhan Saki
Gökhan Saki
Gökhan Saki is a Turkish-Dutch heavyweight kickboxer, fighting out of Golden Glory Gym in Breda, Netherlands...
, who he defeated by first round TKO due to injury, breaking Saki's right arm with a hard left kick. Saki's arm was already injured as a result of his previous fight with Daniel Ghita. In the finals, he fought Peter Aerts
Peter Aerts
Peter "The Dutch Lumberjack" Aerts is a Dutch super heavyweight kickboxer. He is a three-time K-1 World Grand Prix and Muay Thai World Champion. Aerts is best known for his powerful strikes and high kicks.- Biography :...
for the second time. Alistair came out aggressively and finished Peter in the first round.
Personal life
Overeem has a daughter named Storm. On a Japanese comedy show, Alistair Overeem claimed that his great-great-grandfather was William III of the NetherlandsWilliam III of the Netherlands
William III was from 1849 King of the Netherlands and Grand Duke of Luxembourg until his death and the Duke of Limburg until the abolition of the Duchy in 1866.-Early life:William was born in Brussels as son of William II of the Netherlands and...
. Overeem had a cameo in the music video for the song "Sexy and I Know It
Sexy and I Know It
"Sexy and I Know It" is a song by American electro-pop duo LMFAO from their second studio album, Sorry for Party Rocking. It was released as the third single from the album on September 16, 2011. The song was written by Noah Pintar, Stefan Kendal Gordy, GoonRock, Erin Beck, G.M. Robertson and...
" by LMFAO
LMFAO (group)
LMFAO is an American electro pop duo consisting of rappers, producers, dancers, and DJs Redfoo and SkyBlu . The group formed in 2006 in Los Angeles, California. Redfoo is SkyBlu's uncle. Redfoo is also the son of music mogul Berry Gordy, SkyBlu a grandson...
in September 2011. He won a celebrity sumo
Sumo
is a competitive full-contact sport where a wrestler attempts to force another wrestler out of a circular ring or to touch the ground with anything other than the soles of the feet. The sport originated in Japan, the only country where it is practiced professionally...
tournament in Japan in September 2011.
KickboxingKickboxingKickboxing refers to a group of martial arts and stand-up combat sports based on kicking and punching, historically developed from karate, Muay Thai and western boxing....
- K-1K-1K-1 is a defunct world-wide kickboxing promotion based in Tokyo, Japan founded by Kazuyoshi Ishii, a formerKyokushin karate practitioner. K-1 combines stand up techniques from Muay Thai, Karate, Taekwondo, Savate, San Shou, kickboxing, western-style boxing, and other martial arts...
- K-1 2010 World Grand Prix ChampionK-1 World Grand Prix 2010 FinalK-1 World Grand Prix 2010 Final was a martial arts event that was held by the K-1 on Saturday, December 11, 2010. It was the 18th K-1 World GP Final, the culmination of a year full of regional elimination tournaments...
- K-1 2009 World Grand Prix 3rd PlaceK-1 World Grand Prix 2009 FinalK-1 World Grand Prix 2009 Final was a martial arts event held by the K-1 on Saturday December 5, 2009 at the Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Japan. It was the 17th K-1 World GP Final, the culmination of a year full of regional elimination tournaments...
- K-1 2010 World Grand Prix Champion
Mixed martial artsMixed martial artsMixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
- StrikeforceStrikeforceStrikeforce is a U.S.-based mixed martial arts and kickboxing organization based in San Jose, California. It is headed by CEO Scott Coker and owned by Zuffa, LLC...
- Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion (One time; First)
- DreamDREAM (mixed martial arts)Dream is a mixed martial arts organization promoted by former PRIDE FC executives and K-1 promoter Fighting and Entertainment Group. DREAM replaced FEG's previous-run mixed martial arts fight series, Hero's. The series retains many of the stylistic flourishes and personnel from Pride FC...
- Dream Heavyweight Championship (One time; First)
- 2 Hot 2 Handle
- 2H2H Light Heavyweight Champion
- 2H2H Light Heavyweight Tournament Champion
- World MMA Awards
- 2010 International Fighter of the Year
- 2011 International Fighter of the Year
Mixed martial arts record
|-
| Win
|align=center| 35–11 (1)
| Fabricio Werdum
Fabricio Werdum
Fabricio Werdum is a Brazilian mixed martial artist, a two-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion, a two-time ADCC world heavyweight champion and European Jiu-Jitsu champion. He holds black belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, and Muay Thai. Werdum has competed in Pride Fighting Championships, the...
| Decision (unanimous)
| Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum
Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum
Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum, also known as Strikeforce: Dallas, was a mixed martial arts event held by Strikeforce. The event took place on June 18, 2011 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas...
|
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 5:00
| Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
, United States
| .
|-
| Win
|align=center| 34–11 (1)
| Todd Duffee
Todd Duffee
Todd Duffee is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the heavyweight division. Duffee fought for the Ultimate Fighting Championship until his surprise release in September 2010, which came as a result of an apparent dispute with UFC President Dana White.-Background:Duffee was born in...
| KO (knee & punches)
| Dynamite!! 2010
Dynamite!! 2010
Dynamite!! 2010 was a mixed martial arts and kickboxing event and the latest in the annual New Year's Eve event promoted by Fighting and Entertainment Group that took place on December 31, 2010 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. The event included bouts that encompass the DREAM, K-1 and...
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 0:19
| Saitama, Saitama
Saitama, Saitama
' is the capital and the most populous city of Saitama Prefecture in Japan, situated in the south-east of the prefecture. Its area incorporates the former cities of Urawa, Ōmiya, Yono and Iwatsuki. It is a city designated by government ordinance...
, Japan
| Won the Dream Heavyweight Championship. Later vacated title.
|-
| Win
|align=center| 33–11 (1)
| Brett Rogers
Brett Rogers
Brett Charles Rogers is an African-American mixed martial artist who fights in the heavyweight division. Rogers has fought in EliteXC and Strikeforce.-Biography:...
| TKO (punches)
| Strikeforce: Heavy Artillery
Strikeforce: Heavy Artillery
Strikeforce: Heavy Artillery was a mixed martial arts event held by Strikeforce on May 15, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri, United States at the Scottrade Center...
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 3:40
| St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, United States
| Defended the Strikeforce Heavyweight Championship. Later vacated title.
|-
| Win
|align=center| 32–11 (1)
| Kazuyuki Fujita
Kazuyuki Fujita
is a Japanese professional wrestler, mixed martial artist and a former amateur wrestler. He has fought in mixed martial arts promotions including PRIDE, K-1 and currently fighting in Sengoku....
| KO (knee)
| Dynamite!! 2009
Dynamite!! 2009
Dynamite!! 2009 was a mixed martial arts and kickboxing events promoted by Fighting and Entertainment Group, held in the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan on December 31, 2009. The event included bouts that encompass the DREAM, Sengoku Raiden Championship, K-1, and K-1 World MAX banners...
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:15
| Saitama, Saitama
Saitama, Saitama
' is the capital and the most populous city of Saitama Prefecture in Japan, situated in the south-east of the prefecture. Its area incorporates the former cities of Urawa, Ōmiya, Yono and Iwatsuki. It is a city designated by government ordinance...
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 31–11 (1)
| James Thompson
James Thompson (fighter)
James Thompson is an English mixed martial artist. He fights as a heavyweight and has appeared in such promotions as Elite Xtreme Combat , Pride Fighting Championship, and Cage Rage. He is known for rushing his opponents at the start of the bout.-Biography:James Thompson grew up in Rochdale,...
| Submission (guillotine choke)
| Dream 12
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 0:33
| Osaka, Osaka, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 30–11 (1)
| Tony Sylvester
Tony Sylvester
Anthony Sylvester is an American mixed martial artist. He's an Ohio-based fighter who's fought throughout the Midwest and Ohio...
| Submission (guillotine choke)
| Ultimate Glory 11: A Decade of Fights
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:23
| Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
, Netherlands
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 29–11 (1)
| Gary Goodridge
Gary Goodridge
Gary Goodridge , nicknamed "Big Daddy", is a Trinidadian and Tobagonian-Canadian former super heavyweight kickboxer and heavyweight mixed martial artist fighting out of Barrie, Ontario. Goodridge is known for his hard-hitting fighting style and showmanship...
| Submission (kimura)
| Ultimate Glory 10: The Battle of Arnhem
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:42
| Arnhem
Arnhem
Arnhem is a city and municipality, situated in the eastern part of the Netherlands. It is the capital of the province of Gelderland and located near the river Nederrijn as well as near the St. Jansbeek, which was the source of the city's development. Arnhem has 146,095 residents as one of the...
, Netherlands
|
|-
| NC
|align=center| 28–11 (1)
| Mirko Filipovic
Mirko Filipovic
Mirko Filipović is a former Croatian heavyweight kickboxer, mixed martial artist, politician, and law enforcement officer. Filipović was a member of the Croatian Parliament from 2003 through 2007...
| No contest (knee to the groin)
| Dream 6
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 6:09
| Saitama, Saitama
Saitama, Saitama
' is the capital and the most populous city of Saitama Prefecture in Japan, situated in the south-east of the prefecture. Its area incorporates the former cities of Urawa, Ōmiya, Yono and Iwatsuki. It is a city designated by government ordinance...
, Japan
| Overeem kneed Crocop two times in the groin
|-
| Win
|align=center| 28–11
| Mark Hunt
Mark Hunt
Mark Hunt ; is a New Zealand kickboxer and mixed martial artist of Samoan descent, currently living in Sydney, Australia. Hunt competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and is known for his raw strength, iron chin and knockout power. He won the K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 Final...
| Submission (keylock)
| Dream 5
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:11
| Osaka, Osaka, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 27–11
| Lee Tae-Hyun
Lee Tae-Hyun
Lee Tae-Hyun , is a South Korean ssireum wrestler and later mixed martial artist. His ssireum record included 472 wins, the best overall winning record in Korean ssireum competition.-Ssireum:...
| KO (punches & knee)
| Dream 4
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 0:36
| Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 26–11
| Paul Buentello
Paul Buentello
|-| Loss|align=center| 29–14| Cole Konrad| Decision | Bellator 48| |align=center| 3|align=center| 5:00|Uncasville, Connecticut, United States| Non-title bout.|-| Win|align=center| 29–13| Kerry Schall| Decision...
| Submission (knees to the body)
| Strikeforce: Four Men Enter, One Man Survives
Strikeforce: Four Men Enter, One Man Survives
-External links:**...
|
|align=center| 2
|align=center| 3:42
| San Jose, California
San Jose, California
San Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay...
, United States
| Won inaugural Strikeforce Heavyweight Championship
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 25–11
| Sergei Kharitonov
| KO (punch)
| Hero's 10
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 4:21
| Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 25–10
| Michael Knaap
| Submission (guillotine choke)
| K-1 World Grand Prix 2007 in Amsterdam
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 4:51
| Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
, Netherlands
| Moves up to Heavyweight full-time
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 24–10
| Mauricio Rua
Mauricio Rua
Maurício Milani Rua is a Brazilian mixed martial artist fighting in the Ultimate Fighting Championship where he is a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion...
| KO (punches)
| Pride 33
PRIDE 33
Pride 33: The Second Coming was a mixed martial arts event held by Pride Fighting Championships on February 24, 2007 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.-Background:...
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 3:37
| Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
, United States
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 24–9
| Ricardo Arona
Ricardo Arona
Ricardo Arona is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and PRIDE FC Middleweight Grand Prix finalist. He has competed in PRIDE Fighting Championships and RINGS in his mixed martial arts career, and is a member of Brazilian Top Team.-Abu Dhabi and RINGS:...
| TKO (Punches)
| Pride Final Conflict Absolute
PRIDE Final Conflict Absolute
Pride Final Conflict Absolute was a mixed martial arts event held by the Pride Fighting Championships. It took place at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan on September 10, 2006.-Background:...
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 4:28
| Saitama, Saitama
Saitama, Saitama
' is the capital and the most populous city of Saitama Prefecture in Japan, situated in the south-east of the prefecture. Its area incorporates the former cities of Urawa, Ōmiya, Yono and Iwatsuki. It is a city designated by government ordinance...
, Japan
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 24–8
| Antônio Rogério Nogueira
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
Antônio Rogério Nogueira is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist currently signed with the UFC. He is the twin brother of Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira. A proficient amateur boxer, he was the 2006 and 2007 Brazilian Super Heavyweight Champion. He also won a bronze medal in the 2007 Pan...
| KO (Punches)
| Pride Critical Countdown Absolute
PRIDE Critical Countdown Absolute
Pride Critical Countdown Absolute was a mixed martial arts event held by the Pride Fighting Championships. It took place at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan on July 1, 2006.-Background:...
|
|align=center| 2
|align=center| 2:13
| Saitama, Saitama
Saitama, Saitama
' is the capital and the most populous city of Saitama Prefecture in Japan, situated in the south-east of the prefecture. Its area incorporates the former cities of Urawa, Ōmiya, Yono and Iwatsuki. It is a city designated by government ordinance...
, Japan
| Returns to Light Heavyweight
|-
| Win
|align=center| 24–7
| Vitor Belfort
Vitor Belfort
Vítor Vieira Belfort is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. Belfort was born in Rio de Janeiro and studied jiu-jitsu with the Gracie family, namely Carlson Gracie. He received a black belt under Carlson and currently trains with Xtreme Couture, fighting in...
| Decision (unanimous)
| Strikeforce: Revenge
Strikeforce: Revenge
Strikeforce: Revenge was the second mixed martial arts event promoted by Strikeforce. The event took place at the HP Pavilion at San Jose in San Jose, California on June 9, 2006. The main event featured the North American debut of Alistair Overeem....
|
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 5:00
| San Jose, California
San Jose, California
San Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay...
, United States
| Fought at catchweight of 210 lb
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 23–7
| Fabricio Werdum
Fabricio Werdum
Fabricio Werdum is a Brazilian mixed martial artist, a two-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion, a two-time ADCC world heavyweight champion and European Jiu-Jitsu champion. He holds black belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, and Muay Thai. Werdum has competed in Pride Fighting Championships, the...
| Submission (kimura)
| Pride Total Elimination Absolute
PRIDE Total Elimination Absolute
Pride Total Elimination Absolute was a mixed martial arts event held by the Pride Fighting Championships. It took place at the Osaka Dome in Osaka, Japan on May 5, 2006.-Background:...
|
|align=center| 2
|align=center| 3:43
| Osaka, Osaka, Japan
| Pride 2006 Openweight Grand Prix Opening Round
|-
| Win
|align=center| 23–6
| Nikolajus Cilkinas
| Submission (armbar)
| WCFC: No Guts, No Glory
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:42
| Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, England
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 22–6
| Sergei Kharitonov
| TKO (knees)
| Pride 31
PRIDE 31
Pride 31: Unbreakable was a mixed martial arts event held by Pride Fighting Championships on February 26, 2006 at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan...
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 5:13
| Saitama, Saitama
Saitama, Saitama
' is the capital and the most populous city of Saitama Prefecture in Japan, situated in the south-east of the prefecture. Its area incorporates the former cities of Urawa, Ōmiya, Yono and Iwatsuki. It is a city designated by government ordinance...
, Japan
| Moves up to Heavyweight
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 21–6
| Mauricio Rua
Mauricio Rua
Maurício Milani Rua is a Brazilian mixed martial artist fighting in the Ultimate Fighting Championship where he is a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion...
| KO (punches)
| Pride Final Conflict 2005
PRIDE Final Conflict 2005
Pride Final Conflict 2005 was a mixed martial arts event held by the Pride Fighting Championships. This event featured the much anticipated heavyweight title fight between Fedor Emelianenko and Mirko Cro Cop and also the final round of the 2005 Middleweight Tournament...
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 6:42
| Saitama, Saitama
Saitama, Saitama
' is the capital and the most populous city of Saitama Prefecture in Japan, situated in the south-east of the prefecture. Its area incorporates the former cities of Urawa, Ōmiya, Yono and Iwatsuki. It is a city designated by government ordinance...
, Japan
| Pride 2005 Middleweight Grand Prix Semifinal
|-
| Win
|align=center| 21–5
| Igor Vovchanchyn
Igor Vovchanchyn
Igor Yaroslavovich "Ice Cold" Vovchanchyn is a retired Ukrainian mixed martial artist and kickboxer. He won seven mixed martial arts tournaments, as well as acquiring a 37 fight unbeaten streak, and reaching the final of the Pride Grand Prix 2000....
| Submission (guillotine choke)
| Pride Critical Countdown 2005
PRIDE Critical Countdown 2005
Pride Critical Countdown 2005 was a mixed martial arts event held by the Pride Fighting Championships. It took place at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, on June 26th, 2005.-Background:...
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:20
| Saitama, Saitama
Saitama, Saitama
' is the capital and the most populous city of Saitama Prefecture in Japan, situated in the south-east of the prefecture. Its area incorporates the former cities of Urawa, Ōmiya, Yono and Iwatsuki. It is a city designated by government ordinance...
, Japan
| Pride 2005 Middleweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal
|-
| Win
|align=center| 20–5
| Vitor Belfort
Vitor Belfort
Vítor Vieira Belfort is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. Belfort was born in Rio de Janeiro and studied jiu-jitsu with the Gracie family, namely Carlson Gracie. He received a black belt under Carlson and currently trains with Xtreme Couture, fighting in...
| Submission (guillotine choke)
| Pride Total Elimination 2005
PRIDE Total Elimination 2005
Pride Total Elimination 2005 was a mixed martial arts event held by Pride Fighting Championships. This event marked the first round of the Middleweight tournament...
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 9:36
| Osaka, Osaka, Japan
| Pride 2005 Middleweight Grand Prix Opening Round
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 19–5
| Antônio Rogério Nogueira
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
Antônio Rogério Nogueira is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist currently signed with the UFC. He is the twin brother of Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira. A proficient amateur boxer, he was the 2006 and 2007 Brazilian Super Heavyweight Champion. He also won a bronze medal in the 2007 Pan...
| KO (Punches)
| Pride 29
PRIDE 29
Pride 29: Fists of Fire was a mixed martial arts event held by the Pride Fighting Championships. The event took place on February 20, 2005 at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.- Mario Sperry vs Hirotaka Yokoi:...
|
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 5:00
| Saitama, Saitama
Saitama, Saitama
' is the capital and the most populous city of Saitama Prefecture in Japan, situated in the south-east of the prefecture. Its area incorporates the former cities of Urawa, Ōmiya, Yono and Iwatsuki. It is a city designated by government ordinance...
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 19–4
| Hiromitsu Kanehara
Hiromitsu Kanehara
is a Japanese mixed martial artist who competes in the light heavyweight division.Although starting as a professional wrestler in 1991, Kanehara did not have much success as such, and eventually abandoned professional wrestling when his then-home circuit, Fighting Network RINGS, abandoned the...
| TKO (doctor stoppage)
| Pride 28
PRIDE 28
Pride 28: High Octane was a mixed martial arts event held by the Pride Fighting Championships. It took place at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan on October 31, 2004.- Heath Herring vs. Hirotaka Yokoi:...
|
|align=center| 2
|align=center| 3:52
| Saitama, Saitama
Saitama, Saitama
' is the capital and the most populous city of Saitama Prefecture in Japan, situated in the south-east of the prefecture. Its area incorporates the former cities of Urawa, Ōmiya, Yono and Iwatsuki. It is a city designated by government ordinance...
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 18–4
| Rodney Faverus
| Submission (guillotine choke)
| 2 Hot 2 Handle
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| N/A
| Rotterdam
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre...
, Netherlands
| Wins 2H2H Light-Heavyweight Championship
|-
| Win
|align=center| 17–4
| Tomohiko Hashimoto
| TKO (Knees and punches)
| Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2003
Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2003
Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2003: Inoki Festival was a mixed martial arts and kickboxing event promoted by Antonio Inoki on December 31, 2003 at the Kobe Wing Stadium in Kobe, Japan. It was the follow-up to Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2001 and Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2002...
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 0:36
| Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 16–4
| Chuck Liddell
Chuck Liddell
Charles David "Chuck" Liddell is a retired American mixed martial artist and former Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight champion. Liddell has an extensive striking background in Kempo, Koei-Kan karate and kickboxing, as well as a grappling background in collegiate wrestling.As of his...
| KO (punches)
| Pride Total Elimination 2003
PRIDE Total Elimination 2003
PRIDE Total Elimination 2003 was a mixed martial arts event held by PRIDE Fighting Championships. It took place at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan on August 10, 2003. This event was host to the quarterfinals of the 2003 PRIDE Middleweight Grand Prix tournament...
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 3:09
| Osaka, Osaka, Japan
| Pride 2003 Middleweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal.
|-
| Win
|align=center| 16–3
| Mike Bencic
| Submission (knee to the body and punches)
| Pride 26
PRIDE 26
Pride 26: Bad to the Bone was a mixed martial arts event held by Pride Fighting Championships. It took place at the Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Japan on June 8, 2003....
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 3:44
| Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 15–3
| Aaron Brink
| Submission (guillotine choke)
| 2H2H 6: Simply the Best 6
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 0:53
| Rotterdam
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre...
, Netherlands
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 14–3
| Bazigit Atajev
Bazigit Atajev
Bazigit Atajev is a Russian mixed martial artist and kickboxer, who represented Russia in RINGS, fought in Pride Fighting Championships, and also competed in K-1 kickboxing. He is known for a fierce spinning heel kick, and Sambo style grappling...
| TKO (knee to the body)
| Pride 24
PRIDE 24
Pride 24: Cold Fury 3 was a mixed martial arts event held by the Pride Fighting Championships. It took place at the Marine Messe Fukuoka in Fukuoka, Japan on December 23, 2002.- Daijiro Matsui vs. Kazuki Okubo:...
|
|align=center| 2
|align=center| 4:59
| Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Fukuoka, Fukuoka
is the capital city of Fukuoka Prefecture and is situated on the northern shore of the island of Kyushu in Japan.Voted number 14 in a 2010 poll of the World's Most Livable Cities, Fukuoka is praised for its green spaces in a metropolitan setting. It is the most populous city in Kyushu, followed by...
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 13–3
| Dave Vader
| TKO (doctor stoppage)
| 2H2H 5: Simply the Best 5
|
|align=center| 2
|align=center| N/A
| Rotterdam
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre...
, Netherlands
| 2H2H Light Heavyweight Tournament Final
|-
| Win
|align=center| 12–3
| Moise Rimbon
Moise Rimbon
Moise Rimbon is a French mixed martial artist who has fought for World Victory Road, KSW, K-1, BodogFight, M-1 Global, Cage Warriors, and Pancrase promotions. Rimbon is best known for his fights with K-1 kickboxers Peter Graham and Alistair Overeem, and recently PRIDE veteran and UFC fighter...
| Submission (triangle choke)
| 2H2H 5: Simply the Best 5
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:03
| Rotterdam
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre...
, Netherlands
| 2H2H Light Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal
|-
| Win
|align=center| 11–3
| Yusuke Imamura
| TKO (knee and punches)
| Pride The Best Vol.2
PRIDE The Best Vol.2
Pride The Best Vol. 2 was a mixed martial arts event held by the Pride Fighting Championships. It took place at the Differ Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan on July 20, 2002.- Jukei Nakajima vs. Joe Son:Nakajima defeated Son by TKO...
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 0:44
| Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 10–3
| Vesa Vuori
| TKO (punches)
| 2 Hot 2 Handle: Germany
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 2:15
| Krefeld
Krefeld
Krefeld , also known as Crefeld until 1929, is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located northwest of Düsseldorf, its centre lying just a few kilometres to the west of the River Rhine; the borough of Uerdingen is situated directly on the Rhine...
, Germany
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 9–3
| Sergey Kaznovsky
| Submission (armbar)
| M-1 Mix-Fight Championship: Russia vs. The World 3
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 3:37
| Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg is a city and a federal subject of Russia located on the Neva River at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea...
, Russia
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 8–3
| Roman Zentsov
Roman Zentsov
Roman Zentsov is a Russian heavyweight mixed martial arts fighter who has competed in the PRIDE Fighting Championships, a major MMA organization based in Japan, and BodogFIGHT...
| Submission (keylock)
| 2H2H 4: Simply the Best 4
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:26
| Rotterdam
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre...
, Netherlands
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 7–3
| Stanislav Nuschik
| TKO (knees)
| 2H2H 2: Simply The Best
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 0:53
| Rotterdam
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre...
, Netherlands
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 6–3
| Vladimer Tchanturia
Vladimer Tchanturia
Vladimer Chanturia is a Georgian boxer who competed in the Heavyweight division at the 2000 Summer Olympics and won the bronze medal.- Amateur highlights :...
| Submission (rear naked choke)
| Rings: King of Kings 2000 Final
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:06
| Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 5–3
| Peter Verschuren
| Submission (keylock)
| It's Showtime: Christmas Edition
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:06
| Haarlem
Haarlem
Haarlem is a municipality and a city in the Netherlands. It is the capital of the province of North Holland, the northern half of Holland, which at one time was the most powerful of the seven provinces of the Dutch Republic...
, Netherlands
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 4–3
| Bobby Hoffman
Bobby Hoffman
Bobby "The Truth" Hoffman is a retired American mixed martial artist who competed in the Heavyweight division. He won his last fight at Mainstream MMA - Inferno against Chuck Grigsby on August 12, 2006...
| KO (punches)
| Rings: Millennium Combine 2
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 9:39
| Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, Japan
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 4–2
| Yuriy Kochkine
| Decision (split)
| Rings Russia: Russia vs. The World
|
|align=center| 2
|align=center| 5:00
| Yekaterinburg
Yekaterinburg
Yekaterinburg is a major city in the central part of Russia, the administrative center of Sverdlovsk Oblast. Situated on the eastern side of the Ural mountain range, it is the main industrial and cultural center of the Urals Federal District with a population of 1,350,136 , making it Russia's...
, Russia
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 4–1
| Yasuhito Namekawa
Yasuhito Namekawa
is a Japanese mixed martial artist who competes in the light heavyweight division. Namekawa made his Mixed martial arts debut for Fighting Network Rings in 1998. He fought in mainly Shoot fighting bouts until 1999 when Rings introduced the King of King Rules. Throughout his career, Namekawa has...
| Submission (armbar)
| Rings: Millennium Combine 1
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 0:45
| Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 3–1
| Can Sahinbas
| KO (knee)
| 2 Hot 2 Handle 1
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 2:21
| Rotterdam
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre...
, Netherlands
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 2–1
| Chris Watts
| KO (knee to the body)
| Rings Holland: There Can Only Be One Champion
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 3:58
| Utrecht
Utrecht
Utrecht is a city in the Netherlands.The name may also refer to:* Utrecht , of which Utrecht is the capital* Utrecht , including the city of Utrecht* Bishopric of Utrecht* Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Utrecht...
, Netherlands
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 1–1
| Yuriy Kochkine
| Decision (majority)
| Rings: King of Kings 1999 Block A
|
|align=center| 2
|align=center| 5:00
| Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 1–0
| Ricardo Fyeet
Ricardo Fyeet
Ricardo Fyeet is a Dutch Kick boxer and former mixed martial arts fighter. He debuted for RINGS Holland in 1998, defeating Andrew Keja by knockout...
| Submission (guillotine choke)
| It's Showtime - It's Showtime
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:39
| Haarlem
Haarlem
Haarlem is a municipality and a city in the Netherlands. It is the capital of the province of North Holland, the northern half of Holland, which at one time was the most powerful of the seven provinces of the Dutch Republic...
, Netherlands
|
Kickboxing record
| kickboxing record | |
|---|---|
Legend: |
|
Submission grappling record
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Result
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Record
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Opponent
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Method
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Event
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Date
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Notes
|-
|Win
|3–0
|
Mikael Grothe|(Submission: Guillotine Choke)
|ADCC European Trials
|January 25, 2005
| −98.9 kg Final
|-
|Win
|2–0
|
Andreas Olsen|(Submission: Guillotine Choke)
|ADCC European Trials
|January 25, 2005
| −98.9 kg
|-
|Win
|1–0
|
Arben Latifi|(Submission: Guillotine Choke)
|ADCC European Trials
|January 25, 2005
| −98.9 kg
|-
External links
- Official web site
- Official UFC Profile
- Personal life documentary
- Profile at K-1K-1K-1 is a defunct world-wide kickboxing promotion based in Tokyo, Japan founded by Kazuyoshi Ishii, a formerKyokushin karate practitioner. K-1 combines stand up techniques from Muay Thai, Karate, Taekwondo, Savate, San Shou, kickboxing, western-style boxing, and other martial arts...
- Profile at DreamDREAM (mixed martial arts)Dream is a mixed martial arts organization promoted by former PRIDE FC executives and K-1 promoter Fighting and Entertainment Group. DREAM replaced FEG's previous-run mixed martial arts fight series, Hero's. The series retains many of the stylistic flourishes and personnel from Pride FC...
- Profile at Pride