The debate around who should get the first crack at Stipe Miocic’s heavyweight title can be put to rest as it’s already been decided.
Alistair Overeem has been selected by the promotion to challenge the recently crowned baddest man on the planet at UFC 203 on September 10.
It's official!! 🇭🇷 @stipemiocicufc vs. @alistairovereem 🇳🇱 for the heavyweight belt at #UFC203!! pic.twitter.com/rbaxZ3Vuw6
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) May 26, 2016
Miocic will enjoy a hometown advantage for the monster clash which will headline the UFC’s first ever event in Cleveland.
The 33-year-old lifted the title with a brutal knockout of former champion Fabricio Werdum in Brazil less than a fortnight ago, when he upset the odds and silenced the crowd with one beautiful counter right hand.
Overeem earned the shot, his first at UFC gold, by starching teammate Andrei Arlovski in the main event of UFC Rotterdam earlier this month.
Dutch fighters go 3-for-3 tonight as 'The Reem' @AlistairOvereem gets it done!! #UFCRotterdam 🇳🇱 https://t.co/g82dJGSBDy
— UFC (@ufc) May 8, 2016
Something of a queue existed at heavyweight as many believed that former champion Junior dos Santos had earned his chance with his comprehensive victory over Ben Rothwell last month while top contenders Cain Velasquez and Travis Browne do battle at July’s UFC 200.
But it’s Overeem who gets the nod and he’ll be hoping to follow in fellow countryman Bas Rutten’s footsteps by bringing the UFC heavyweight title back to the Netherlands.
