Alistair Overeem Turned Down Title Shot, Opens as Favorite Over Lesnar

Alistair Overeem said Tuesday after signing with the UFC that he turned down an immediate heavyweight title shot against the winner of Cain Velasquez vs. Junior dos Santos to face Brock Lesnar in his UFC debut at UFC 141 on December 30 in Las Vegas. “I had the option to fight for the title (as my first UFC bout), but then I had to wait,” Overeem told USA Today. “I love to fight. I love to be active.” Overeem opened as a narrow betting favorite over the former UFC champ Lesnar at BetonFighting.com with original odds set at -135 for Overeem and +105 for Lesnar, but have since moved closer.