.
UFC President Dana White confirmed on Twitter that Overeem vs. Lesnar will take place on December 30 in Las Vegas.
, while Overeem has developed a monstrous reputation over the last couple of years, defending his Strikeforce heavyweight title while also winning the most prestigious title in kickboxing, the K-1 World Grand Prix.
Shortly after signing his UFC contract, Overeem told the Los Angeles Times that he's excited about the challenge of meeting Lesnar in the cage.
"Brock is a big name, a dangerous guy, and this is a dream matchup," Overeem said. "Brock's a big guy, an exciting wrestler with his takedowns. I want to see this fight myself. Overall, I'm a different fighter. A striker, athletic, big. These are going to be two big trucks going at it on a collision course."
Overeem's path to the UFC has been a strange one: When the UFC purchased Strikeforce, it seemed like only a matter of time before Overeem would step into the Octagon. But a contract dispute between UFC/Strikeforce parent company Zuffa and Overeem's management at Golden Glory led to Overeem being released by the company. Those issues, however, have obviously been resolved, and Overeem is now set to fight in the world's biggest MMA promotion for the first time.
Lesnar, meanwhile, has been out of action for nearly a year while recovering from diverticulitis. White recently said that Lesnar is 100 percent healthy, and Lesnar is apparently ready to start a training camp to meet Overeem.
The fight itself is a fascinating contrast of styles. Overeem may be the best striker in the heavyweight division, and Lesnar has struggled with his striking defense in his last couple of fights. But Overeem has never faced a wrestler nearly as good as Lesnar, and the muscular Overeem, who has grown accustomed to overpowering his opponents, also hasn't faced anyone as strong as Lesnar.
on Fox in November, the UFC is positioning itself for some huge heavyweight attractions ahead.
- Brock Lesnar at UFC 121 Brock Lesnar answers questions at the UFC 121 pre-fight press conference. Esther Lin for FanHouse
- Brock Lesnar at UFC 121 pre-fight press conference Brock Lesnar answers questions at the UFC 121 pre-fight press conference. Esther Lin for FanHouse
- Brock Lesnar at UFC 121 pre-fight press conference Brock Lesnar and Cain Velasquez square off at the UFC 121 pre-fight press conference. Esther Lin for FanHouse
- Brock Lesnar at UFC 121 pre-fight press conference Brock Lesnar and Cain Velasquez square off at the UFC 121 pre-fight press conference. Esther Lin for FanHouse
- Brock Lesnar at UFC 121 Brock Lesnar makes his way to the Octagon at UFC 121 on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. Esther Lin for FanHouse
- Brock Lesnar at UFC 121 Brock Lesnar makes his way to the Octagon at UFC 121 on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. Esther Lin for FanHouse
- Brock Lesnar at UFC 121 Brock Lesnar gets ready for his fight at UFC 121 on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. Esther Lin for FanHouse
- Brock Lesnar at UFC 121 Bruce Buffer makes introductions at UFC 121 on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.
- Brock Lesnar at UFC 121 Brock Lesnar knees Cain Velasquez at UFC 121 on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. Esther Lin for FanHouse
- Brock Lesnar at UFC 121 Cain Velasquez punches Brock Lesnar at UFC 121 on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. Esther Lin for FanHouse
- Brock Lesnar at UFC 121 Cain Velasquez punches Brock Lesnar at UFC 121 on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. Esther Lin for FanHouse
- Brock Lesnar at UFC 121 Brock Lesnar and Cain Velasquez battle at UFC 121 on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. Esther Lin for FanHouse
- Brock Lesnar at UFC 121 Cain Velasquez punches Brock Lesnar at UFC 121 on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. Esther Lin for FanHouse
- Brock Lesnar at UFC 121 Cain Velasquez looks to finish Brock Lesnar at UFC 121 on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. Esther Lin for FanHouse
- Brock Lesnar at UFC 121 Cain Velasquez looks to finish Brock Lesnar at UFC 121 on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. Esther Lin for FanHouse
- Brock Lesnar at UFC 121 Brock Lesnar loses to Cain Velasquez at UFC 121 on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. Esther Lin for FanHouse
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Brock Lesnar at UFC 116
Brock Lesnar answers questions at the UFC 116 post-fight press conference.
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Brock Lesnar at UFC 116
Brock Lesnar answers questions at the UFC 116 post-fight press conference.
Esther Lin for FanHouse -
Brock Lesnar at UFC 116
Brock Lesnar answers questions at the UFC 116 post-fight press conference.
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Brock Lesnar at UFC 116 pre-fight press conference
Brock Lesnar squares off with Shane Carwin at the UFC 116 pre-fight press conference.
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Brock Lesnar at UFC 116 pre-fight press conference
Brock Lesnar squares off with Shane Carwin at the UFC 116 pre-fight press conference.
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Brock Lesnar at UFC 116 workouts
Brock Lesnar participates at UFC 116 media workouts.
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Brock Lesnar at UFC 116 open workouts
Brock Lesnar participates at UFC 116 media workouts.
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Brock Lesnar at UFC 116 media workouts
Brock Lesnar answers questions at UFC 116 media workouts.
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Brock Lesnar at UFC 116 open workouts
Brock Lesnar answers questions at UFC 116 open workouts.
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Brock Lesnar at UFC 116 open workouts
Brock Lesnar answers questions at UFC 116 open workouts.
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Brock Lesnar at UFC 116 open workouts
Brock Lesnar poses during UFC 116 open workouts.
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Brock Lesnar at UFC 116 weigh-ins
Brock Lesnar steps on the scale at UFC 116 weigh-ins.
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Brock Lesnar at UFC 116 weigh-ins
Brock Lesnar squares off with Shane Carwin at the UFC 116 weigh-ins.
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Brock Lesnar at UFC 116 wegih-ins
Brock Lesnar answers questions from Joe Rogan at UFC 116 weigh-ins.
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Brock Lesnar at UFC 116
Shane Carwin knees Brock Lesnar at UFC 116 on July 3, 2010 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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Brock Lesnar at UFC 116
Shane Carwin punches Brock Lesnar at UFC 116 on July 3, 2010 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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Brock Lesnar at UFC 116
Shane Carwin punches Brock Lesnar at UFC 116 on July 3, 2010 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin for FanHouse -
Brock Lesnar at UFC 116
Shane Carwin punches Brock Lesnar at UFC 116 on July 3, 2010 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin for FanHouse -
Brock Lesnar at UFC 116
Shane Carwin punches Brock Lesnar at UFC 116 on July 3, 2010 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin for FanHouse -
Brock Lesnar at UFC 116
Shane Carwin punches Brock Lesnar at UFC 116 on July 3, 2010 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin for FanHouse -
Brock Lesnar at UFC 116
Shane Carwin punches Brock Lesnar at UFC 116 on July 3, 2010 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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Brock Lesnar at UFC 116
Brock Lesnar and Shane Carwin battle at UFC 116 on July 3, 2010 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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Brock Lesnar at UFC 116
Brock Lesnar makes it out of the first round at UFC 116 on July 3, 2010 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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Brock Lesnar at UFC 116
Brock Lesnar gets ready for his fight at UFC 116 on July 3, 2010 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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Brock Lesnar at UFC 116
Brock Lesnar and Shane Carwin battle at UFC 116 on July 3, 2010 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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Brock Lesnar at UFC 116
Brock Lesnar works to submit Shane Carwin at UFC 116 on July 3, 2010 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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Brock Lesnar at UFC 116
Brock Lesnar works to submit Shane Carwin at UFC 116 on July 3, 2010 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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Brock Lesnar at UFC 116
Brock Lesnar submits Shane Carwin at UFC 116 on July 3, 2010 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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Brock Lesnar at UFC 116
Brock Lesnar celebrates his win over Shane Carwin at UFC 116 on July 3, 2010 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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Brock Lesnar at UFC 116
Brock Lesnar celebrates his win at UFC 116 on July 3, 2010 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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Brock Lesnar at UFC 116
Brock Lesnar celebrates his win at UFC 116 on July 3, 2010 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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Brock Lesnar at UFC 116
Brock Lesnar is declared the winner over Shane Carwin at UFC 116 on July 3, 2010 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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Brock Lesnar at UFC 116
Brock Lesnar is congratulated by Dana White at UFC 116 on July 3, 2010 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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Brock Lesnar at UFC 116
Brock Lesnar is interviewed by Joe Rogan at UFC 116 on July 3, 2010 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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Brock Lesnar at UFC 116
Brock Lesnar celebrates his win over Shane Carwin with his team at UFC 116 on July 3, 2010 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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