Alistair Overeem's interview

Suture Magazine: You've fought at both heavy weight and light heavy weight and seen success in both divisions. Which weight class do you prefer to fight at?

Alistair Overeem: Now I'm 27 years old I prefer heavyweight, but the deliberate choice was made when i was 22 to first compete at light heavyweight because i could lose some weight as i was still pretty young. It became more difficult every time with me getting older.

SM: Your last fight was a successful debut in Strikeforce, was that a single fight deal, or have you signed a contract with Strikeforce, or Bodog for that matter (I know they work closely together)?

AO: I haven't signed a contract so far, but we'll probably get a deal done within the next couple of months. I don't know the details yet but my management will be working on that.

SM: You've stayed very active throughout your whole career. It's only been a month since the Strikeforce fight, do you plan on taking any time off, or are you looking to get right back in the ring as soon as the opportunity presents itself?

AO: Well, Actually I had some time off. After Strikeforce we went to Las Vegas and I lost all my fight money on black (no joke), we had a nice time there and I've just come home from a couple of European trips. I used to never take a break, but with that attitude you will get your body over-stressed. So now I take a good break about twice a year.

SM: A few years back you fought Chuck Liddell and ended up losing the fight by knockout. Up until the last 30 seconds or so of the fight, you were dominating Chuck, how would you feel about a rematch with Liddell, and what would be different the second time around?

AO: That was an exciting fight, yes. That was my first big-name fight, fighting the former UFC champion' wowie.. ::Laughs:: Well, of course I would want to fight him again.. Not only did I show the world that his standing game is nothing special, I was beating him. Nevertheless, he is a champion and he showed that in the fight being able to take pressure, punishment and making a deadly, deadly comeback. Shit that was bad. But the next fight would be very different because I've gained much more experience and strength while I don't see any improvements in Chuck's game (Keep in mind I was 23 the first time) But I don't see this fight happening anytime soon as I'm now fighting heavyweight.

SM: You fought for Pride more than 10 times, as a fan I kept waiting for the Alistair/Wanderlei match to happen, but it never did. Is that a fight you would want, and was it ever discussed while you were under contract with Pride FC?

AO: Definitely a fight I wanted but never happened. He was the Pride champion and I wanted that belt! We could have faced each other in the Grand Prix in 2005 but we ended up in different brackets. Now he is no longer champion and beside that he is in another weight class so for me there is no special desire to fight him.

SM: Since Zuffa bought Pride the Japanese organization has virtually died, throwing no more events after Pride 34: Kamikaze. How much has that effected your career, and how much do you think it effects the overall mixed martial arts market?

AO: I loved Pride. I've seen all kinds of promotions and Pride was definitely the best. The disappearance of Pride hasn't effected my career but i sure hope that someone revives the Pride concept.

SM: Have you been contacted about fighting for The UFC, and is that something you'd be interested in?

AO: Yes, definitely. Now that Pride is no longer, the UFC is the 1 Promotion in the world with the very best fighters fighting there. I want to become the number 1 of the world. In UFC I can become that.

SM: Paul Buentello, Vitor Belfort, Igor Vovchanchyn, Sergei Kharitonov, you've beaten a lot of excellent opponents, what victory meant the most to you?

AO: They were all good wins to me. But I do remember waking up every morning after the fight and feeling just a little bit better about it, because they were names :)

SM: Any opponent you've ever had any personal problems with?

AO: No, not really. Of course some fighters have some attitude but nothing worth mentioning, usually the fighters were kind.

SM: You've got a win and a loss against Kharitonov, fans have talked about a rubber match since the second bout ended, would you like to fight Sergei again, and if so, is that a fight you'd be looking for immediately, or would you like to rack up a few more wins before the third match up?

AO: Well, the first time me and Sergei met he had a shoulder injury which I totally messed up in the fight. In the 2nd fight I had a shoulder injury which affected my preparation going into the fight so things went even, only that he twice had 10kg weight advantage. Now Sergei has joined Golden Glory and we've trained together a couple of times. He is a nice guy and the only way we could face each other would be in a tournament form. And believe me when I say I'll be ready when that happens.

SM: Your persona is pretty intense, the giant demolition hammer, the go for broke fight style; do you think the intensity you carry inside (and out) of the ring intimidates your opponents at all?

AO: Maybe some, some not. But everybody knows, when fighting me, you will know something's up.

SM: Anything you'd like to say to your fans or sponsors?

AO: Thanks for all your support. Keep tuning in, the best is still to come!

SM: Thanks Alistair, hope the holidays are good for you!

AO: Thank you.

source: Suture Magazine