UFC Fight Night 176: Alistair Overeem sets himself up for one last run at gold
- Veteran Dutch fighter says he’ll take the surging Brazilian Augusto Sakai into ‘deep water’
- Sixth- and ninth-ranked heavyweights both have UFC champion in their sights
Alistair Overeem carries with him the air of a man who has been through wars and so it might pay for Augusto Sakai to heed the warning the Dutch veteran shared before their headline clash at this weekend’s UFC Fight Night 176.
Overeem (46-18, one no contest) – at 40 years of age and with scores of five-round headliners behind him – was asked where he was planning to take Sakai (15-1-1), who’s 29 and is topping the bill, over five rounds, for the very first time.
“I’m taking him into deep water,” said Overeem on Friday during the pre-fight virtual media day.
We should expect no less.
Overeem has fought the world’s very best over a pro career that has now entered its 23rd year, facing – and beating – the likes of heavyweight greats In Americans Brock Lesnar (5-3, one no contest) and Frank Mir (19-13) among many others.
But Overeem freely admits that twilight is now falling, and he has one last hope of a run towards a title in a division ruled by American Stipe Miocic (20-3). He is ranked sixth – to Sakai’s ninth – and sees a title shot just there on the horizon should he get past the surging Brazilian come Sunday (Asia time).