“October 23 I will be challenging for the GLORY Heavyweight Kickboxing title” – UFC vet Alistair Overeem set to take on Rico Verhoeven at GLORY Collision 3
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Alistair Overeem and Rico Verhoeven
Alistair Overeem will be challenging for the GLORY Heavyweight Kickboxing title on the 23rd of October, 2021 against the champ Rico Verhoeven at GLORY Collision 3. The former UFC heavyweight title contender was released by the UFC on the 3rd of March, 2021 after his loss against Alexander Volkov in February, 2021.
The Dutchman had spent almost 10 years with the UFC, and came to prominence after he defeated Brock Lesnar at UFC 141, in his promotional debut. A former kickboxer, Alistair Overeem switched to MMA in the 2010s. However, following his release from the UFC, he joined GLORY Kickboxing promotion in June 2021. He signed a multi-fight deal with the promotion.
In the latest episode of the MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Overeem broke the news of his championship bout against fellow Dutchman Rico Verhoeven. The fight will be taking place on the 23rd of October, in his own backyard, Overeem revealed.
“It’s gonna be awesome, it’s gonna be versus Rico” – Alistair Overeem
Overeem was quoted as saying, “Next fight is announced. Next fight is booked. Next fight is final. We will be challenging for the GLORY Heavyweight Kickboxing title, October 23, in the Netherlands, in my backyard. And, yes it’s gonna be awesome, it’s gonna be versus Rico [Verhoeven].” [h/t firstsportz.com]
Overeem is coming off a loss against Alexander Volkov in his last MMA fight. His last kickboxing fight was back in December 2010, against Peter Aerts. Overeem won the fight via. TKO in the very first round to win the K-1 World Grand Prix Final in Tokyo, Japan. ‘Reem’s kickboxing record reads 10 wins and 4 losses.
Verhoeven, on the other hand is a veteran of more than 65 fights. He is the current GLORY Heavyweight Kickboxing champion and he has held the title for an extended period of time. The Dutchman has also been ranked as the number one kickboxer in the world consistently since September 2014. A whopping 7-year period.
In his last fight, Verhoeven took on Tarik Khbabez at GLORY 77: Rotterdam in January 2021. He won the fight via TKO due to a corner stoppage in the first round. Overeem will have to dig deep to stand a chance against this 6foot 5in monster from Bergen op Zoom.
Also Read: Ciryl Gane MMA Record: What is the French champion’s mixed martial record?
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Gerard Crispin
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