A Nevada judge will rule on a misdemeanor battery charge brought against Alistair Overeem following an incident in a Las Vegas nightclub over New Year's weekend.
A representative for the Nevada District Attorney's office told MMAjunkie.com (
UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com) that Overeem's non-jury trial is set for March 27 in Las Vegas. Non-jury trials are the state's standard for misdemeanor charges.
If convicted, Overeem faces up to six months in prison and a maximum $1,000 fine. Las Vegas defense attorney David Chesnoff will defend the fighter in court.
According to the "Las Vegas Review-Journal," Overeem was cited by Las Vegas police on Jan. 2 when he allegedly pushed or shoved a woman in the face, "causing her to stagger back." Overeem wasn't technically arrested and instead was summoned to court on Feb. 21, when his trial date was set.
Overeem (36-11 MMA, 1-0 UFC) earned a No. 1 contender spot three days earlier when he defeated former champ Brock Lesnar by TKO at UFC 141. He is now expected to fight champ Junior Dos Santos (14-1 MMA, 8-0 UFC) for the heavyweight title at UFC 146, which takes place May 26 at MGM Grand Garden Arena.
A former champ in Strikeforce, Overeem was signed by the UFC this past September. With his win over Lesnar, he extended his current win streak to 11 fights.
Overeem could be in Las Vegas for a press conference announcing UFC 146 but will not be in attendance at the trial, a source close to his camp said today.
