Alistair Overeem is currently suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission and can not reapply for a license until December 27th, but the former Strikeforce heavyweight champion has verbally agreed to a fight.
UFC officials announced on Tuesday night that Overeem has verbally agreed to meet Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva at UFC 156 on February 2nd in Las Vegas.
The bout will not become official until Overeem is granted a license from the NSAC and he will likely go in front of the commission in January to get a license.
Overreem (36-11, 1NC) was suspended earlier this year by the NSAC after he tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone in a drug test after the initial UFC 146 press conference. After receiving the suspension, Overeem told the commission that he wanted to prove that he was a clean fighter and that he would do that.
The former DREAM and Strikeforce heavyweight champion has not lost since 2007 and has gone 11-0, 1NC in his last 12 fights. He made his UFC debut at the end of 2011 against former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar and won the fight in the first round by knockout.
Silva (17-4) snapped a two fight losing streak last month at UFC on FX 5 when he defeated Travis Browne in the first round by knockout. It was his first win since the beginning of 2011, which was a victory over Fedor Emelianenko in the quarterfinals of the Strikeforce heavyweight tournament. During his MMA career, “Bigfoot” holds 12 victories by knockout and has only gone to a decision in three fights.
UFC 156 takes place on February 2nd in Las Vegas and will be headlined by Jose Aldo defending the UFC featherweight title against former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar.