Report – Alistair Overeem Re-Signs with the UFC
Just signed my new @ufc contract! 🙂 pic.twitter.com/lUQZO0ptLJ
— Alistair Overeem (@Alistairovereem) February 15, 2016
Just announced on twitter earlier this morning, former Strikeforce and Dream heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem has re-signed with the UFC. Overeem’s contract expired following his UFC on Fox TKO victory over Junior dos Santos and many were wondering if he would be the second straight major UFC fighter to sign with Bellator like former lightweight champion Benson Henderson, but it appears the UFC did not want to further thin its heavyweight division. Overeem is currently riding a three-fight winning streak and is likely one fight away from finally getting his UFC title shot. Lauren Murphy vs Sarah Moras cancelled Per MMA Junkie, an injury to Sarah Moras has forced her out of their planned UFC Fight Night 83 bout. The UFC appeared to be originally looking for a short notice replacement opponent to step in and fight Murphy, but the window is closing fast considering the event is taking place this Sunday. Brandon Thatch vs Siyar Bahadurzada moved to UFC 196 Due to a “medical clearance issue,” Brandon Thatch was not approved to fight this weekend, so his bout against Siyar Bahadurzada will instead take place in Las Vegas on March 5th. The veteran middleweight fight between Joe Riggs and Chris Camozzi will replace it on the main card. Here was the UFC’s statement on the matter.
The UFC Fight Night welterweight bout between Brandon Thatch and Siyar Bahadurzada, scheduled for Feb. 21 in Pittsburgh, has been moved to the UFC 196 event in Las Vegas on March 5. Thatch, who is using a medication permitted under the UFC/USADA, WADA and Nevada State Athletic Commission anti-doping rules, was unable to obtain the necessary clearance from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission. The Colorado fighter and his team have been in communication with the UFC and USADA throughout this process, and the required paperwork for licensing in Nevada has been filed.