Alistair Overeem on Werdum: Never 'thought he would become a champ'

Alistair Overeem

ORLANDO, Fla. – Alistair Overeem remembers a fresh-faced Brazilian, then just 27, who made his PRIDE debut more than a decade ago. He never could’ve guessed that upstart, Fabricio Werdum, would go on to win the most prominent heavyweight title in the sport.

At the time, Overeem (39-14 MMA, 4-3 UFC), who co-headlines Saturday’s UFC on FOX 17 event opposite ex-titleholder Junior Dos Santos (17-3 MMA, 11-2 UFC) at Orlando, Fla.’s Amway Center, didn’t think much of Werdum, who submitted Tom Erikson at that event, PRIDE 29, to move to 5-0-1.

But now Werdum, the reigning UFC heavyweight champion who’s ranked No. 1 in the MMAjunkie/USA TODAY Sports MMA heavyweight rankings, serves as a source of inspiration for fellow vet Overeem.

“I still remember his first fight in PRIDE,” Overeem said of Werdum. “That was 2003 (actually, it was 2005). I never would have thought he would become a champion. He became a champion, so for me, that’s a great inspiration. Keep on going, keep the body healthy, keep motivated, keep positive, and great things will happen.”

It certainly worked for Werdum, who left the UFC in 2008, found new life in Strikeforce (including a memorable submission victory over Fedor Emelianenko), before a decision loss to Overeem in his final bout before both fighters eventually moved to the octagon after the UFC-Strikeforce merger.

Since he’s been back, Werdum has posted six consecutive UFC victories, including a title win over Cain Velasquez, to become the world’s No. 1 heavyweight. Overeem, meanwhile, stumbled initially but now looks for his third straight win.

So what would a victory over ex-champ Dos Santos mean for 35-year-old Overeem, who said he probably has just a few more years left at the sport’s top level?

“For me personally, it’s a test,” he said. “If I beat him, I think I’m ready for a title (shot).

” … There’s only one goal left, and that’s a UFC title. If I look at Werdum, he’s been such a tremendous development. For me, that’s an inspiration. He came out of nowhere.”

Does that mean Overeem wants a another fight with Werdum, his source of inspiration? Werdum (20-5-1 MMA, 8-2 UFC), of course, rematches Velasquez (13-2 MMA, 11-2 UFC) in February at UFC 196. No. 8 Overeem and No. 3 Dos Santos could very well be fighting for the next spot in the title line.

“I really have the mentality of may be the best man win,” Overeem said. “Again, Werdum has my admiration because he really came out of nowhere and kept winning and defeated Cain. But I don’t have a problem with Cain. May the best man win.”

However, there’s one potential hiccup in the plans. Overeem is fighting the last bout on his current UFC contract. Win or lose, would he consider leaving the UFC – potentially leaving a title shot behind – for other opportunities?

“For me personally, I’m 100 percent focused on this fight – 100 percent focused on this fight since my last fight, with Roy Nelson in March,” he said. “So I’m not really going to discuss any other options or possibilities. … All the other stuff will come after.”

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