More Alistair Overeem

Biography

TRAINING: I never talk about my training before a fight.  As usual, I train hard, sleep a lot and eat healthy. 

When and why did you start training for fighting?  I started training at the age of 17 and fought my first serious fight at 19 years old.  My brother took me to the gym to defend myself and I was a youngster with a lot of energy.  My brother showed me that I could use the energy in sport and he was right.  After a while, I enjoyed working out and eventually fighting for a living. 

What ranks and titles have you held?  2h2h World champion, 1st place European ADCC, third place Pride Middleweight Grand Prix, Dream Champion, K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 Champion, former Strikeforce heavyweight champion

Do you have any heroes?  No

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC?  I did always expect myself to get into the UFC at one point in my career.  I didn’t know when that was gonna be, but I did always see myself in the UFC at some time. 

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn?  Yes, I finished college but never had the desire to continue with school.  I discovered pretty quick that I wanted to be a athlete or join the army. 

What was your job before you started fighting?  My brother works in security, so when I was young and fighting I tried to make some extra money by doing security work as a bouncer. 

Specific accomplishments in pro competition?  Fighting people that I looked up to in the beginning of my career like Belfort, Igor Vovanchyn and Peter Aerts and beating them is extra special.  My first fight against Badr Hari was also a special accomplishment; people never thought I could win that fight and beat him in the first round via KO.