• UFC

Overeem's management open to UFC agreement

ESPN staff
August 11, 2011
Alistair Overeem left Strikeforce midway through the Heavyweight Grand Prix © Getty Images
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Alistair Overeem's management team, Golden Glory, have confirmed they see no problem with the former Strikeforce heavyweight champion joining the UFC.

Overeem left Strikeforce seemingly on bad terms, with rumours of pay disputes and scheduling disagreements blamed for the fighter's departure.

In the aftermath, UFC president Dana White revealed he would "love" to sign the kickboxer, and it was hinted that details of payment method were the stumbling block.

Golden Glory, it was claimed, wanted to be paid directly, whereas the UFC's parent company Zuffa prefer to pay fighters and allow money to be dispersed through that channel.

Bas Boon, co-owner of Golden Glory, insists payment was not the issue causing Overeem's departure, and he spoke positively about a potential UFC link-up.

"We just want to be able to produce great fighters and create great fights for the fans," Boon said in the statement on MMA Fighting. "We have no intention for co-promotion deals and are even willing to make an exclusive deal for Alistair Overeem to fight in the UFC, if the terms are right.

"The payment was done how the UFC wanted," Boon elaborated. "I do not understand why Dana claims we did not agree? We did not have a choice and never said we would not fight in the future or that we would refuse to work like this in the future.

"Maybe there is a miscommunication and Dana was not well informed that the direct payment issue was solved and no longer an issue."

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