White: Hope fading for Overeem-Dos Santos

February 14, 2014

Earlier this month Alistair Overeem mauled Frank Mir for his first UFC win since December 2011 © Getty Images

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Efforts taken by the UFC to book a high-profile heavyweight fight between Alistair Overeem and Junior dos Santos continue to come up empty.

UFC president Dana White has confirmed he recently offered Overeem two options for a fight against Dos Santos, both of which he turned down.

The offers included a five-round main event fight in Brazil and a three-round co-main event in Las Vegas. Overeem (37-13), who defeated Frank Mir earlier this month at UFC 169, has cited a rib injury as to why he's currently not accepting.

"I bet you his rib wouldn't be hurt if we got Brock Lesnar," said White, referring to Overeem's recent callout of Lesnar, who is retired. "I bet you his rib would be fine, then.

"I offered him Dos Santos two different ways. He said, 'Yeah, I don't want five rounds in Brazil.' OK. No problem. Co-main in Vegas, three rounds? 'My rib hurts.' You guys come to whatever conclusion you want on that. I know what the truth is."

Overeem weighed in via Twitter.

Twitter going bananas! Not running for anyone, on holiday right now & also rehabbing injuries so not ready to discuss a fight at this time.
— Alistair Overeem (@Alistairovereem) February 13, 2014

Overeem and Dos Santos (16-3) were previously scheduled to meet in a UFC title fight in May 2012, but the bout fell through when Overeem tested positive for high testosterone-to-epitestosterone levels during a surprise drug test.

White expressed doubt as to whether the fight would eventually get made.

"I have a feeling this rib injury is going to last as long as it takes until Dos Santos has another opponent. That's what I'm willing to bet," White said. "This is going to be the longest rib injury ever. As soon as we get Dos Santos a fight, that rib will heal right up."

This article originally appeared on ESPN.com

ESPN staff