Alistair Overeem is preparing to fight Mark Hunt at UFC 209 this March, but he also has his eyes set on the Stipe Miocic/Junior Dos Santos title fight at UFC 211.
Overeem wants another shot at the UFC Heavyweight Title and he wants it against Dos Santos, which is why he’s picking him to win UFC 211.
“May the best man win, but Junior’s fighting style is very compatible with Stipe, and then, of course, I’ve got to do my thing against Mark,” Overeem said on MMA Junkie Radio. “But logically, that would be very good for my title attempts if Junior would win, because the rematch could be there. So I’m definitely rooting for Junior in this one, for a change.”
Overeem competed for the UFC Heavyweight Title at UFC 203, where he was knocked out in the first round by Stipe Miocic. Overeem has already defeated UFC 209 opponent Mark Hunt once before in the DREAM promotion, but he expects a different Hunt next month.
“It’s nine years later,” Overeem said. “I would hope he’s a better and different fighter. When I look at his results, he definitely made a comeback. He’s learned some new tricks. He’s finishing his fights. I can remember he’s a very strong guy – tremendously strong, so you don’t want to get hit by him. You’ve got to be sharp at all times. But I feel very confident going into this fight.”
UFC 209 takes place on Saturday, March 4 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada with Tyron Woodley and Stephen Thompson headlining.
