The UFC's heavyweight division isn't looking so hot with an injured champion, a hungry challenger that wants a fight but has very few options, and a huge name that is in dire need of experience and training but stuck fighting some of the best fighters on the planet. Meanwhile, there's this guy, Alistair Overeem. Strikeforce heavyweight champion, K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 champion, and now, the Dream interim heavyweight champion. Seriously, the man has kicked ass and taken names in 2010, and I hope he continues to do so into 2011. With Strikeforce trying to set up a grand prix, Overeem will hopefully defend his title there multiple times in 2011. He's currently building his name in Japan to quite a bit of success, but if he strikes in North America now he will likely be able to win over the fans who haven't been pleased with his lack of recent title defenses on this side of the world.
Dana White has been a fan of Overeem for a while now, and I can't help but wonder how far the UFC president would go to see him under their banner. There's some obvious issues that would come up...Dream, K-1...but what if the heavyweight division gets worse as 2011 goes on? UFC or not, Alistair Overeem is, in my opinion, THE heavyweight fighter to watch in 2011.
Happy New Year everyone, hope you all had a safe, and exciting time celebrating the new year. Round two is up tonight, with UFC 125 at 10 p.m. ET.