When heavyweight Alistair Overeem (Pictured) was issued a nine-month suspension by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, UFC president Dana White suggested Overeem’s career with the organization could be over. Fast forward 30 days and it appears the UFC is still in the Overeem business, though White has insisted on stepping aside and allowing co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta to deal with “The Demolition Man.”
“He lied to me,” White stated during Saturday’s UFC 146 post-fight press conference. “He sat in front of us, he lied to us. I’m not interested. I don’t have to deal with people that I don’t want to deal with and I don’t want to deal with him, Lorenzo will.
“If you have any Overeem questions, ask Lorenzo.”
Overeem was supposed to be the second piece in providing a box office pay-per-view broadcast last night. Unfortunately for the UFC, he wasn’t able to challenge champ Junior dos Santos for his crown after flunking a random drug test.
The controversial 31-year-old can reapply for licensing as early as December 27th. Which means Overeem could return in time for the UFC’s New Year’s weekend extravaganza, exactly one year after his first and only fight for the company.
White isn’t holding his breath, nor is he going to personally roll out the welcome back wagon.
“He went before the athletic commission and he got his punishment. He’s going to serve his sentence now and when he comes back, he has to apply for a license again and then we’ll go from there,” White nonchalantly said.
Prior to getting suspended, Overeem emerged as the heavyweight top contender by steamrolling Brock Lesnar at UFC 141. When asked if the kickboxer would keep his place in line upon return, White responded in the affirmative.
“Yeah, I think he should. Yeah,” White shared.
Original Story:
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May 27, 2012
