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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
Prior to Zuffa's purchase of Strikeforce last year, the organization's Heavyweight World Grand Prix was set to feature several major fights in the division. Though Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva's upset of Fedor Emelianenko in the opening round closed the door on a bout between "The Last Emperor" and then-Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion Alistair Overeem, Silva himself got in line for that fight.
Then, after Zuffa purchased the organization, things fell apart with the tournament. The second set of quarterfinals didn't happen until June (though that was as much Strikeforce's fault pre-Zuffa), and then Overeem was removed from the tournament when he couldn't turn around in three months to fight Silva. Now, as Overeem readies for his return to the Octagon once he can get licensed at the end of December, Silva once again wants that fight.
"Bigfoot" made his UFC debut in May, getting destroyed by current No. 1 contender and former UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez. However, he rebounded in a big way earlier this month, knocking out Travis Browne in the main event of UFC on FX 5, handing the rising Browne his first career defeat. In an interview with MMAJunkie.com this week, Silva made it clear that he wants the fight with Overeem badly, and he's not concerned with anything Overeem may or may not have done with performance enhancing drugs in the past.
"If Overeem really doesn't want to have to wait for a fight after his suspension is up, I am here ready to welcome him," Silva said. "I respect him as an athlete. After all, he was K-1, DREAM and Strikeforce champion. But I am not worried about titles or belts right now."
"Overeem is big and strong, but I know I can beat him. Even if he was created in the lab, I can beat him."
The UFC has said Overeem will get the next title shot after Velasquez fight Junior dos Santos at UFC 155, but he'd prefer to return to action right away as soon as he can apply for his license on Dec. 27. Silva's more than willing to oblige and give him that return fight, and though he respects Overeem's skills as a fighter, he added one more comment aimed at the Dutch striker.
"To me, Overeem is among the best fighters in the world, and I want to always fight the best," Silva said. "Of course, where I come from – Paraiba, in Brazil – our supplement of choice is molasses, and our strength is our attitude and we will fight whoever, whenever. Let's see if Overeem can say the same."
Penick's Analysis: With Daniel Cormier stuck in Strikeforce for now, Overeem-Silva is probably the right fight to make. Overeem wants to get back into action, and most would prefer to see him win a fight before jumping into a title shot after his failed drug test and everything that went along with that this year. He doesn't want to sit out for 15 months or longer, and Silva's coming off a major win. It's a fight that was supposed to happen last September, and it's still an interesting matchup. That's the fight to make right now, and it will be highly interesting if they get it together.
Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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