Alistair Overeem says he’s getting ready for a return in boxing after spending time with Oleksandr Usyk’s workforce in Spain, with Francis Ngannou and Rico Verhoeven among the many opponents he would contemplate.
The Dutch heavyweight, 46, has not signed for a battle, however says conversations have began as he strikes towards a brand new chapter after an extended MMA and kickboxing profession. “There’s no battle lined up however there’s some flirting, there’s some speaking occurring,” Overeem mentioned, talking with Playbook Boxing YouTube and Betway. “We’re within the boxing world now.”
Overeem skilled alongside Usyk’s camp and described the go to as a chance to search out one other degree after three a long time in fight sports activities. He mentioned the workforce introduced a mixture of teaching, motion work and data across the physique and nervous system.
“It was to start with an ideal expertise,” Overeem mentioned. “I used to be very grateful that I used to be allowed to enter. You don’t know what to anticipate, nevertheless it was an ideal vitality, nice coaches.”
For a fighter who has competed throughout MMA, kickboxing and Ok-1, the worth was in being put again right into a studying surroundings. “Each time I’m studying, you recognize I’ve 30 years coaching, it simply lights a fireplace,” he mentioned. “That motivates me and offers vitality, builds confidence.”
Overeem says the expertise confirmed there are areas nonetheless left for him to develop. “There’s certainly one other layer to be added to what I already embody,” he mentioned. “There’s stuff that I can be taught, and I’m motivated to. So it’s there and I need to do it.”
His profession covers main organizations and a number of rule units. Overeem fought in PRIDE FC earlier than constructing title-winning runs in DREAM and Strikeforce, then gained the 2010 Ok-1 World Grand Prix by stopping Peter Aerts within the ultimate. He’s well known as the one fighter to carry main MMA and kickboxing world titles concurrently.
Overeem later grew to become a UFC heavyweight title challenger, dealing with Stipe Miocic for the belt at UFC 203 in 2016. His ultimate MMA look got here in opposition to Alexander Volkov in February 2021, when he introduced he was stepping away from the game.
That didn’t finish his competitors profession. Overeem returned below kickboxing guidelines in October 2022 and defeated Badr Hari by unanimous choice at Collision 4, settling their three-fight sequence with a second victory over his Dutch rival.
Alistair Overeem eyes boxing return, names Ngannou and Verhoeven
Ngannou is a logical title due to their historical past. The Cameroonian heavyweight knocked Overeem out with a first-round left uppercut at UFC 218 in December 2017, ending the competition at 1:42. The win despatched Ngannou into his first UFC title battle.
“We’ve got a loss in opposition to Francis, so that may positively be one thing,” Overeem mentioned. Ngannou has already competed in high-profile boxing bouts in opposition to Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, whereas remaining an lively heavyweight in MMA.
A battle with GLORY champion Verhoeven carries a distinct angle. Overeem mentioned the pair have been booked to fulfill twice beforehand, although neither contest came about.
“Rico, we have been purported to battle on two events,” Overeem mentioned. “There was a whole lot of media hype behind that battle, a whole lot of rigidity, the battle of the Netherlands as a result of we’re each from there. So I might see that battle occurring, positively.”
Verhoeven has additionally pursued crossover boxing alternatives and has proven curiosity in a bout with Ngannou, making all three names a part of the identical heavyweight dialog.
Rico Verhoeven enters the dialog after his Could 2026 boxing loss to Oleksandr Usyk on the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. Verhoeven gave the undefeated heavyweight champion a competitive fight and was forward on one scorecard, with the opposite two degree after 10 rounds, earlier than Usyk dropped him and earned a stoppage at 2:59 of the eleventh spherical. The late name drew debate as a result of Verhoeven had risen and there was one second left within the spherical, however the outcome gave him significant expertise in opposition to the game’s main heavyweight.
