corresponded with the Strikeforce heavyweight champion via e-mail on Tuesday to find out why he was removed from the tournament and what's next for him.
Ariel Helwani: Are you disappointed that you were taken out of the tournament?
: Yes, of course I'm disappointed. Winning the tournament was my number one goal. I understand their position, but they have to understand mine, and I'm disappointed we couldn't work it out.
It has been reported that you have one fight left on your contract, is that true and how are negotiations going for an extension?
shows and two of them are big and have title fights as the main event. That makes you wonder if they want a Grand Prix semi-final in between on Showtime.
Sept. 10 is seven weeks away. Why isn't that enough time for you to prepare for a fight? At the moment I have started training by myself because most of my team members and trainer are on holiday, so I didn't start my real training camp yet. I have to get sparring partners from other countries and fly them in and arrange accommodations. Everything was according to plan and that was to start my fighting program on August 1. So let's take that date as my starting point, then you have to be in the States a week before the fight. So if you calculate it, then you have just four weeks and that's not enough to have a good and well prepared training for such a big fight.
You've always been known as an active fighter, for example, you competed in a combined 14 MMA and K-1 bouts in 2009-10, however, you've fought just once in 2011. Why have things changed? There are many explanations: the level of competition and the stakes are different. It's safe to say that all those opponents aren't as good as 'Bigfoot,' the other reason is that K-1 matches are very different to train and you don't need a very long training camp if you compare it to MMA. The most important is that you can fight multiple times if you don't interrupt your training. If the September date was confirmed right after the Werdum fight, it was no problem to get in shape because I would have skipped my holiday and organized the training camp earlier. If you go on a holiday and you stop training and enjoy life by eating things you're normally aren't allowed or going out instead of sleeping then your momentum is gone and you have to start all over again and that cost extra time as well. There is a reason why UFC champions only fight two times a year.
Have you talked to Zuffa since you were removed from the tournament? If so, what's the state of your relationship with them today? No, I didn't speak to anybody at Zuffa. I only communicate with my management and they talk to them. If you ask me what the state of our relationship is, I think nothing has changed. It would be silly to think that they don't understand my decision.
How badly injured is your toe? When can you resume training? It's not that bad, otherwise I would have canceled [the Silva fight] because of that injury alone. It's more that my body isn't pain-free, there are minor injuries but they prevent you from training 100 percent. If you have just four-to-six weeks, and you have those minor things, then you are jeopardizing your training. I have started my training recently, and on August 1, I will have a training camp.
When do you think you will fight for Strikeforce again? I don't know.
Is there a chance that you will fight for someone else before fighting for Strikeforce again? I hope so. I like to be active, and like I told you, I will be ready according to the first date we agreed with Strikeforce and that is in October.
Alistair Overeem
Alistair Overeem meets with Dzevad Poturak at a press conference prior to the K-1 World GP 2010 in Yokohama event on April 3, 2010.
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Alistair Overeem
Alistair Overeem talks about his upcoming fight against Dzevad Poturak at a press conference prior to the K-1 World GP 2010 in Yokohama event on April 3, 2010.
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Alistair Overeem
Alistair Overeem celebrates his win over Dzevad Poturak at K-1 World GP 2010 in Yokohama on April 3, 2010 in Japan.
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Alistair Overeem
Alistair Overeem finishes Dzevad Poturak at K-1 World GP 2010 in Yokohama on April 3, 2010 in Japan.
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Alistair Overeem
Alistair Overeem beats Ben Edwards at "K-1 World GP 2010 in Seoul Final 16" on Oct. 2, 2010 in Seoul, Korea.
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Alistair Overeem
Alistair Overeem punches Tyrone Sprong at "K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 Final" On Dec. 11, 2010 in Tokyo, Japan.
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Alistair Overeem
Alistair Overeem punches Tyrone Sprong at "K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 Final" On Dec. 11, 2010 in Tokyo, Japan.
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Alistair Overeem
Alistair Overeem knees Tyrone Sprong at "K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 Final" On Dec. 11, 2010 in Tokyo, Japan.
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Alistair Overeem
Alistair Overeem defeats Tyrone Sprong via unanimous decision at "K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 Final" On Dec. 11, 2010 in Tokyo, Japan.
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Alistair Overeem
Alistair Overeem walks off after a victory at the "K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 Final" on Dec. 11, 2010 in Tokyo, Japan.
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Alistair Overeem
Alistair Overeem enters to face Gokhan Saki at the "K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 Final" on Dec. 11, 2010 in Tokyo, Japan.
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Alistair Overeem
Alistair Overeem celebrates a win at the "K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 Final" on Dec. 11, 2010 in Tokyo, Japan.
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Alistair Overeem
Alistair Overeem kicks Peter Aerts at the "K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 Final" on Dec. 11, 2010 in Tokyo, Japan.
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Alistair Overeem
Alistair Overeem punches Peter Aerts at the "K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 Final" on Dec. 11, 2010 in Tokyo, Japan.
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Alistair Overeem
Alistair Overeem punches Peter Aerts at the "K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 Final" on Dec. 11, 2010 in Tokyo, Japan.
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Alistair Overeem
Alistair Overeem wins the "K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 Final" on Dec. 11, 2010 in Tokyo, Japan.
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Alistair Overeem
Alistair Overeem wins the "K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 Final" on Dec. 11, 2010 in Tokyo, Japan.
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Alistair Overeem
Alistair Overeem wins the "K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 Final" on Dec. 11, 2010 in Tokyo, Japan.
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Alistair Overeem
Alistair Overeem wins the "K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 Final" on Dec. 11, 2010 in Tokyo, Japan.
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Alistair Overeem
Alistair Overeem wins the "K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 Final" on Dec. 11, 2010 in Tokyo, Japan.
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Alistair Overeem
Alistair Overeem faces Todd Duffee at "K-1 Dynamite!!" on Dec. 31, 2010 in Saitama, Japan.
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Alistair Overeem
Alistair Overeem punches Todd Duffee at "K-1 Dynamite!!" on Dec. 31, 2010 in Saitama, Japan.
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Alistair Overeem
Alistair Overeem knocks out Todd Duffee at "K-1 Dynamite!!" on Dec. 31, 2010 in Saitama, Japan.
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Alistair Overeem
Alistair Overeem celebrates his win over Todd Duffee at "K-1 Dynamite!!" on Dec. 31, 2010 in Saitama, Japan.
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Alistair Overeem
Alistair Overeem wins the DREAM heavyweight title at "K-1 Dynamite!!" on Dec. 31, 2010 in Saitama, Japan.
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Alistair Overeem
Alistair Overeem faces Todd Duffee at "K-1 Dynamite!!" on Dec. 31, 2010 in Saitama, Japan.
Daniel Herbertson, MMA Fighting
Alistair Overeem
Alistair Overeem knees Todd Duffee at "K-1 Dynamite!!" on Dec. 31, 2010 in Saitama, Japan.
Daniel Herbertson, MMA Fighting
Alistair Overeem
Alistair Overeem knocks out Todd Duffee at "K-1 Dynamite!!" on Dec. 31, 2010 in Saitama, Japan.