Alistair Overeem vs. Antonio Silva expected for February's UFC 156 event

[No More Sorrow]

Ask, and you shall receive.

After calling out former Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem (36-11 MMA, 1-0 UFC), former EliteXC title holder Antonio Silva (17-4 MMA, 1-1 UFC) has been granted his wish, and the two are now expected to meet at February's UFC 156 event.


The Las Vegas Review Journal first reported the planned matchup, which is contingent on Overeem receiving a license from the Nevada State Athletic Commission pending the conclusion of his current suspension.


Featuring a featherweight title fight between current champ Jose Aldo and former lightweight title holder Frankie Edgar, UFC 156 takes place Feb. 2 at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. The evening's main card airs on pay-per-view.


The massively chiseled Overeem has long been at the center of controversy regarding performance-enhancing drug use accusations. The Dutchman long contended he was a "clean fighter" and the "most-tested athlete in sports." However, he was suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission earlier this year when a a pre-UFC 146 drug test was flagged for a 14-to-1 testosterone-to-epitestosterone (T/E) ratio, more than twice the 6-to-1 ratio allowed by the commission.


Overeem maintained his innocence throughout his NSAC hearings and suggested a prescribed injection was responsible for his heightened ratios. Still, the NSAC issued him a nine-month suspension that ends Dec. 27.


UFC President Dana White in October revealed Overeem is still considered the division's No. 1 contender and is welcome to wait for the Dec. 29 bout between current champ Junior Dos Santos and former title holder Cain Velasquez to determine his next appearance, which would be for the UFC heavyweight title.


But Overeem's camp recently warned they weren't sure if waiting was their client's best option. After all, injuries and other unpredictable hurdles could mean the fight wouldn't take place for several months after the UFC 155 headliner, and Overeem's primary goal right now is to get back to competition for the first time since a December 2011 win over Brock Lesnar.


He has now apparently elected to act on that instinct.


Meanwhile, Silva recently told MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com) he'd be happy to welcome Overeem back to action.


"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 today told MMAjunkie.com. "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 was created in the lab, I can beat him."


In addition to the new booking of Overeem vs. Silva, the Las Vegas Review Journal's report also confirmed the long-rumored matchup of Rashad Evans vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira.

Pretty interesting, I wouldn't mind the fight tbh, I'd prefer this more than Silva-Stefan Struve which was rumored for the UFC on FX 7 card. Overeem's suspension is over next month, so it's realistic, we'll have to wait and see.

 

[Embrace Thou Maryse]

I feel sorry for Antonio...

 

[Slim]

Your avatar is... umm... I forgot what I was gonna say.

But Overeem is gonna wreck him. Silva... well he is getting himself another big fight which helps gets his name out there but... if Overeem can come back in good fighting shape... it'll be all over. I mean it will have been over a year so no clue how Overeem will be.

 

[The Cork]

Only plus point for Bigfoot is that I don't think it'll be as bad an ass whupping as when Velasquez destroyed him, the ref might have mercy this time.

 

[Deezy]

found amusing that the first thing ths story said was "ask and you shall receive".

Who asked for this fight? This will be a Vader match on WCW Saturday Night.

 

[Big Red Jericho Punk]

Frank Mir would have been a better opponent here, but I think he's still here. Not saying Mir would win, he would probably get wrecked but I think he's more likely to last a round at least. Silva is going to get murdered.

 

[Embrace Thou Maryse]

Frank Mir would have been a better opponent here, but I think he's still here. Not saying Mir would win, he would probably get wrecked but I think he's more likely to last a round at least. Silva is going to get murdered.

Mir-Overeem would basically just be Mir-JDS except Reem wouldn't drag it out to the second round to make his prediction come true.

 

[Chase]

Last time I heard Silva was going to get murdered it was against Fedor... then Silva ended up murdering Fedor.... same thing can happen.

 

[Troy]

I think the big question is if Overeem can pass a drug test. If he can then this should be a nice warmup for him, he should be too good for Silva although in MMA anything can happen. I like that he is looking to fight rather than weight around for the winner of JDS/Cain because it would just be way too long between fights for him if he waited.

 

[Deezy]

No way Uncle Dana lets Ubereem get tested without some sort of tester wihtout some cash.

 

[Embrace Thou Maryse]

As long as there's no random test again, Ubereem will be fine just like the thousands of other roiders in MMA. Scheduled testing just lets everyone know when to time their cycle.

 

[Slim]

Last time I heard Silva was going to get murdered it was against Fedor... then Silva ended up murdering Fedor.... same thing can happen.

But the difference there is... Overeem is just as big as Silva whereas Fedor is a small heavyweight. Although I see what you are saying... this one is just too different. Silva can have a chance but ... Overeem should have this one for sure.

 

[Chase]

But the difference there is... Overeem is just as big as Silva whereas Fedor is a small heavyweight. Although I see what you are saying... this one is just too different. Silva can have a chance but ... Overeem should have this one for sure.

Last time I check this is the fighting world where ANYTHING can happen. Overeem is not a god of the Heavyweight division. The way people are posting saying Silva has no chance just sounds silly. I mean come on Silva is not terrible. If Reem was facing Lavar Johnson yeah you can see him destroying. Plus Reem is not uber fast like Cain so I don't see him out speeding Silva.

 

[Slim]

Last time I check this is the fighting world where ANYTHING can happen. Overeem is not a god of the Heavyweight division. The way people are posting saying Silva has no chance just sounds silly. I mean come on Silva is not terrible. If Reem was facing Lavar Johnson yeah you can see him destroying. Plus Reem is not uber fast like Cain so I don't see him out speeding Silva.

I did say that Silva can have a chance... but I just don't see that window being that big. It isn't all about speed though. Overeem has elite stand up compared to what Silva can posses. That is why I'd say that Overeem has a much better chance and is a heavy favorite. Not guaranteed... but you can't look at those two and say that these two are evenly matched or that one has a slight advantage over the other with a straight face. Overeem has the clear advantage. If it gets to the ground... that is where it can be a toss up but fights always start on the feet and the only other guy that can have a pretty good chance at standing with Overeem in the Heavys is JDS.

Silva has a puncher's chance but... Overeem is the clear favorite to win this fight.

 

[Embrace Thou Maryse]

But the difference there is... Overeem is just as big as Silva whereas Fedor is a small heavyweight. Although I see what you are saying... this one is just too different. Silva can have a chance but ... Overeem should have this one for sure.

What I was thinking, Reems just as big if not bigger than Silva, he wont have a huge size advantage like he did over Fedor.

I get Chase's point though anything can happen, but Overeem is one of the top 3 HWs in the world, Silva's a slow, plodding basic fighter.