Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem will meet Ricco Rodriguez. The fight will be a part of Dream 15, which takes place on July 10 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.
MMAJunkie reported the match up on Wednesday.
Overeem originally won the Strikeforce title by defeating Paul Buentello back in 2007. After that, he competed in Ultimate Glory, Dream and K-1. Before returning to Strikeforce, he won six-straight MMA fights and performed admirably in the kickboxing ring. In May, he finally returned to Strikeforce and defended his belt against Brett Rogers. Overeem stopped Rogers in the first round.
Rodriguez is one of MMA’s perenial “What if?” stories. He won the UFC heavyweight title by defeating Randy Couture at UFC 39 back in 2002. However, he then lost three straight fights to Tim Sylvia, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Pedro Rizzo and never again fought for the UFC. Since then, he has struggled with weight and substance abuse problems. He is currenlty riding a seven-fight winning streak against modest competition.
Headlining Dream 15 is a lightweight title between. Shinya Aoki will defend his Dream title against Tatsuya Kawajiri.
UPDATE (6-30-10, 5:45pm CT) – According to a new report on MMAJunkie.com, the site that first reported the bout, Alistair Overeem’s manager and trainer, Martin De Jong, has stated that not only will the fight between Overeem and Rodriguez NOT take place, but Overeem may never fight for DREAM again. Rodriguez is still expected to compete on the card.
This likely means Werdum will face Fedor in a rematch.
What a horrible fight. Rogers is the only legit competition this guy has fought in ages.
Alistair Overeem !
You won the Grand Prix of K-1 while S. Schilt do not fighted real: i created all fighters worldwide: there are only one life: if you do want to earn money: budget: you can earn money in: BOXING: you are educated as a fighter: it is not enough for my biz: WORLDWIDE SHOWBIZ STAGE PERFORMANCE: but it is O.K.: you got your education: but if you do not concentrate yourself the other fighters will knock you out: concentration: if you do not concentrate yourself: they knock you out: i let you knock out: you got your education: you can fight K-1 further and trying to win the world champion chip or you practicing boxing: too: it is dificult: looks like: Muay Thai: Kickboxing: but it is a little bit different: you have no chance against the number one fighters KlitschBrothers: they never lose a fight: if they lose i bring them back: but impossible they lose a fight: try to fight WBA: David Hay…..: WBA:…..: you have quality you got it: but it is not enough to win the WBA-TITLE: try there are only one life: come on: if you want to earn money be in media every day: you can fight 10 years in BOXING: you can watch th fight: A. Abraham vs. C. Forch: they will do with you all like that in: BOXING: you are educated: try come on: i do all from Netherland to England to Hollywood: concentration: there are only one life: you tube com: broadcasr yourself: California Love: you have a world champion title: enough for me: i created all fighters from K1 to boxing all fighters worldwide: watch and try to find out how you can win the fight against: C. Forch: only try to find out: this is your first education: and: watch: KARATE TIGER I: concentration: i take from all: 65 %….. from their acounts: if you want to earn money: you are welcome in: BOXING: welcome: concentration an practicing: BOXING: looks like normal fighting: whatever: if you want to survive you have to concentrate yourself: if you do not concentrate yourself they all will knock you out: the ring is yours: if you lose a fight in K-1 i can never help you: i do not need you in the showbiz worlwide: concentration: there are only one life: there is nothing to lose: see you: wishing you the best: if you fight in K-1 you have not lose a fight: you got it: practicing boxing: is not Muay Thai: Kickboxing: MMA: looks like: you are educated as a fighter: you got your education: do what you like but do it right: there are only one life !