Alistair Overeem is contemplating popping out of retirement after saying he would name it a profession in 2023.
The previous Strikeforce heavyweight champion and one-time UFC title challenger mentioned his well being has improved and he’s working in the direction of a potential return. Overeem suffered from repeated accidents that made it almost unimaginable for him to complete coaching camp, and he retired after feeling like he was completed preventing.
However after three years and a major restoration, Overeem believes he can nonetheless compete on the highest stage.
“Really, I retired three and a half years in the past,” Overeem mentioned through the Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven card. “The harm took me away from the game. It took me away. I could not practice. I used to be really in ache. I dove into longevity. I took a number of ice baths, a number of dry needling, a number of issues that really healed my physique.”
“The motivation is there. We’re simply our choices, like what can we do and what ought to we do? I additionally simply turned 36 and I really feel higher than once I was nonetheless preventing as a result of I simply did all of the longevity stuff, longevity actions.”
Overeem retired in 2023, however has not fought since returning to kickboxing in 2022 for a showdown with Bada Hari at GLORY. Overeem initially received the bout by unanimous resolution, however the consequence was in the end overturned to a no contest after he examined constructive for a banned substance.
Previous to that struggle, Overeem misplaced by knockout to Alexander Volkov within the UFC in 2021, which was a promotional bout.
As for his choices, Overeem did not point out whether or not he is contemplating a return to blended martial arts, kickboxing or boxing, however he appears open to enterprise in pursuit of the correct alternative.
Overeem has talked about the opportunity of dealing with Rico Verhoeven, who virtually shocked the world this Saturday in opposition to Oleksandr Usyk, however a controversial stoppage ended the struggle within the eleventh spherical. He talked about the struggle shortly earlier than Verhoeven grew to become heavyweight champion, and Overeem had nothing however reward for the previous GLORY champion.
“I am not going to disrespect him like that,” Overeem mentioned of Verhoeven. “That is his second. Let’s go away it at that. However I imply he obtained a query from a reporter saying, ‘Do you continue to have unfinished enterprise?'” Take heed to MMA, he isn’t an MMA fighter. You do not even want to coach since you simply beat him. If you are going to field, you may most likely want slightly camp.
“Rico is an icon. He is an icon. The kickboxing world is behind him, a clear picture. He is really man.”
