Grabaka
06-27-2007, 04:22 PM
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OVEREEM BECOMES A ‘HERO’
Dutchman Signs Three-Fight Deal With K-1 HERO'S
By Stash Capar ([Only registered and activated users can see links])
He was one of PRIDE Fighting Championships’ most familiar faces, but now he’s headed over to the competition in hopes of winning a title - Alistair “Demolition Man” Overeem has signed a three-fight deal with K-1 HERO’S and will move up a weight division to try his hand at heavyweight.
“We signed the contract over the weekend, just after the fight with Michael Knapp [in K-1 Amsterdam],” confirmed Golden Glory representative Martijn De Jong. “We’re excited and expecting big things.”
Overeem, 25-10, who just put an end to a tough three fight-losing streak in PRIDE with the first round submission victory last Saturday, sees his new contract as an opportunity to revamp and renew his career.
“I’m changing a lot of things,” says the lanky 6-foot-4 Duthman. “First, I’m putting on a few more kilos and doing a lot more fitness and cardio training, something that I haven’t really focused on before.”
With improved cardio, an area that has often been considered his weakness for the 27-year-old, Overeem may have a greater opportunity to showcase his natural athletic gifts and years of mixed martial arts experience in what was the top promotion in the world.
“We want to put on a good first show, we’re focused,” says Overeem. “The training is going very well and we’re trying to step it up since the first Hero’s fight will likely be soon.”
The next K-1 Olympia HERO’S event will take place July 16 at the Yokohama Arena in Kanagawa, Japan, a roster Overeem thinks he’ll be on.
“I’ll most likely be fighting on the July 16 HERO’S show,” says Overeem. “No idea who the opponent is, and it doesn’t really matter. My last fight has left me feeling good and confident. If you watch it you can see that he [Michael Knaap] couldn’t even touch me.”
Although his performance against Michael Knaap (14-12-3) was impressive, Overeem, who is known primarily who is stand-up arsenal, will now be entering a heavyweight division known for being the home of seasoned strikers who occasionally dabble in MMA, including world-class entries like Jerome LeBanner and Peter Aerts.
POSTED -- 06/27/07
OVEREEM BECOMES A ‘HERO’
Dutchman Signs Three-Fight Deal With K-1 HERO'S
By Stash Capar ([Only registered and activated users can see links])
He was one of PRIDE Fighting Championships’ most familiar faces, but now he’s headed over to the competition in hopes of winning a title - Alistair “Demolition Man” Overeem has signed a three-fight deal with K-1 HERO’S and will move up a weight division to try his hand at heavyweight.
“We signed the contract over the weekend, just after the fight with Michael Knapp [in K-1 Amsterdam],” confirmed Golden Glory representative Martijn De Jong. “We’re excited and expecting big things.”
Overeem, 25-10, who just put an end to a tough three fight-losing streak in PRIDE with the first round submission victory last Saturday, sees his new contract as an opportunity to revamp and renew his career.
“I’m changing a lot of things,” says the lanky 6-foot-4 Duthman. “First, I’m putting on a few more kilos and doing a lot more fitness and cardio training, something that I haven’t really focused on before.”
With improved cardio, an area that has often been considered his weakness for the 27-year-old, Overeem may have a greater opportunity to showcase his natural athletic gifts and years of mixed martial arts experience in what was the top promotion in the world.
“We want to put on a good first show, we’re focused,” says Overeem. “The training is going very well and we’re trying to step it up since the first Hero’s fight will likely be soon.”
The next K-1 Olympia HERO’S event will take place July 16 at the Yokohama Arena in Kanagawa, Japan, a roster Overeem thinks he’ll be on.
“I’ll most likely be fighting on the July 16 HERO’S show,” says Overeem. “No idea who the opponent is, and it doesn’t really matter. My last fight has left me feeling good and confident. If you watch it you can see that he [Michael Knaap] couldn’t even touch me.”
Although his performance against Michael Knaap (14-12-3) was impressive, Overeem, who is known primarily who is stand-up arsenal, will now be entering a heavyweight division known for being the home of seasoned strikers who occasionally dabble in MMA, including world-class entries like Jerome LeBanner and Peter Aerts.
POSTED -- 06/27/07