Fresh off of his UFC 169 victory over Frank Mir, UFC heavyweight contender Alistair Overeem prepares for his Octagon return, as he battles Ben Rothwell at UFC Fight Night 50.
Overeem appeared on Ariel Helwani’s “MMA Hour” this past Monday and gave a bold prediction for his fight against “Big” Ben.
“Knockout. It’s not going to be a decision fight because Ben is not that type of guy. And I, in general, also am not that type of guy. Sometimes there are exceptions, but in general. I always go for the finish. Even in the Mir fight I was going for the finish, I’m just not going to be sloppy and gas myself out and get in danger of getting submitted. Even in the Frank Mir fight, he was trying to go for the submission all the way to the end, trying to lure me into making a mistake. I did not let that happen and I fought a little of a safe fight, but I was still going for the finish. I was still clocking him. Did you see his face? Look at the stats. You can’t say I wasn’t trying to knock him out.”
As far as the move to Jackson-Winklejohn in New Mexico is concerned, Overeem explains that it had to do with “chemistry.”
“I think it has to do with chemistry. And chemistry has to do with mentality. Some people just mix better with other people. From the get go, and you’re aiming at the Blackzilians I think, the mentality was different. The chemistry was not optimal. It’s not their fault, it’s not my fault, it’s just the way it is. Sometimes you meet people and the chemistry is not all there, but your still a team. But when the training is not optimal, you’re not going to get optimal results. I came here with a blank sheet and I am just myself. I’ve had my fair share of gyms, Yo u have to be realize, it takes tame, be yourself and there are other people in the gym. You observe and take it easy, the chemistry here, the people are more like me, the mentality of what I have, so it works. I’m more in my element.”
Overeem continued:
“I’m not going to lower myself to talk bad about those guys, it’s just a waste of energy. I’m going to wish them luck in whatever they do. I’m going to focus on me, that’s it. I was (disappointed) a little bit because it was unnecessary and it just aggravates negative vibes. We are all searching for the positive vibes. Let’s just let bygones be bygones. Unfortunately, not everybody is that clever. So, yeah.”
Check out the full appearance at MMAFighting.com.
UFC Fight Night 50 takes place on September 5th at the Foxwoods Resort & Casino in Ledyard, Connecticut.
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