ALISTAIR OVEREEM vows to get back in UFC title contention – but he has made a “promise” to get three wins before doing so.
The 38-year-old London born heavyweight is five fights removed from his September 2016 KO defeat to then champion Stipe Miocic.
Overeem responded by beating veterans Mark Hunt and Fabricio Werdum and looked to have gained momentum in the search for another crack at the gold.
However, the Dutch kickboxing ace then suffered back-to-back defeats against punchers Francis Ngannou and Curtis Blaydes.
Staring a hat-trick of defeats in the face, Overeem pulled off a big win against Sergey Pavlovich in November to get back to winning ways.
“The Reem” now faces Alexey Oleynik on Saturday and opened up about the tough match-up and importance of snapping his losing streak.
Overeem told SunSport: “It was very important coming off two loses and because of those losses I switched teams and started training in Denver.
“Oleynik is very experienced and very tough – he comes forward and puts a lot of pressure on and I just need to wait for my moment and take him out.
“I don’t think it goes five rounds, I think it will be two rounds.”
Overeem switched camps to Team Elevation after being defeated by Blaydes – who the Dutchman now trains alongside.
Happy with life in Denver, Overeem is plotting for the future and targets three more wins before once again challenging for the UFC title.
He said: “Team Elevation is now home base and that last victory was my debut fight for them and it’s always nice to come out on top for your new team.
“I promised to get three wins and then talk about the title.
“We’re not there yet but hopefully win this one, fight again in the summer and then in December and we’ll start talking about the title.”
The heavyweight division is currently being held up as WWE star and ex-UFC champion Brock Lesnar looks set to return and challenge champion Daniel Cormier.
While the rest of the division lay and wait for the return of Lesnar, Overeem is “not impressed” with the wrestling star being granted a title shot straight away.
Nor does he want a rematch against Lesnar, having been the last man to defeat “The Beast” with a 2011 KO that ultimately retired the WWE icon.
Overeem said: “I’m not impressed with the whole Brock thing – I don’t think he should fight for the title, but it is what it is.
“My opinion isn’t going to change the situation anyway.
“I already beat him, so why would I want a rematch?”
