Alistair Overeem meets the Belarusian Andrei Arlovski, ranked no.5. Kickboxing powerhouse Alistair Overeem may finally secure himself a long awaited UFC heavyweight championship opportunity, if he is to defeat former champion Arlovski on home soil. ‘The Reem’ is on an impressive run of three successive victories including wins against Stefan Struve, Roy Nelson, and former champion Junior dos Santos. Fighting out of Chicago, USA, Arlovski is looking to bounce back from a loss to current title challenger Stipe Miocic. It’s been ten years since Arlovski held the UFC’s heavyweight crown, but the 37-year-old Sambo Master has enjoyed one of the best periods of his career since returning to the UFC in 2014 and going undefeated with four notable victories until Miocic snatched a TKO win at their UFC 195 bout on January 2. When these two heavyweight icons collide in Rotterdam, the 35-year-old Overeem will bring a notable size advantage. While each man stands 6’4″, the UK born Dutchman will be approximately 25lbs heavier, close to the 265lb limit, and with a three-inch reach advantage. Overeem may possess the reputation of being the more technical and savvy striker, but each man is vastly experienced and both possess the power to finish the bout at any time. In the co-main event no.12 ranked juggernaut Antonio ‘Bigfoot’ Silva will face 28-year-old Dutchman Stefan Struve who will also enjoy a historic first UFC bout on home soil. The 7-foot ‘Skyscraper’ continues his pursuit of a career comeback following a shaky return, having overcome a heart condition that almost brought an end to his career. European welterweight standouts will also meet on the main card when Iceland’s Gunnar Nelson looks to put an end to the surging win streak of Russia’s Albert Tumenov who has dominated with five consecutive victories since losing his 2014 UFC debut in Brazil. UFC Fight Night Rotterdam full card below: Main Card Heavyweight: Alistair Overeem vs. Andrei Arlovski Heavyweight: Antônio Silva vs. Stefan Struve Welterweight: Albert Tumenov vs. Gunnar Nelson Women’s Bantamweight: Germaine de Randamie vs. Anna Elmose Light Heavyweight: Nikita Krylov vs. Francimar Barroso Women’s Strawweight: Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs. Heather Jo Clark Preliminary Card Lightweight: Rustam Khabilov vs. Chris Wade Middleweight: Magnus Cedenblad vs. Garreth McLellan Lightweight: Josh Emmett vs. Jon Tuck Lightweight: Yan Cabral vs. Reza Madadi UFC Fight Pass Preliminary Card Flyweight: Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Neil Seery Welterweight: Leon Edwards vs. Dominic Waters Flyweight: Ulka Sasaki vs. Willie Gates]]>
UFC FIGHT NIGHT ROTTERDAM PREVIEW
