The combat sports legend faces Hari in ‘Glory: Collision 4’ headliner on Saturday in the Netherlands.
At 42 years old, Alistair Overeem has been fighting in one form or another for more than two decades. However, the former Strikeforce, DREAM and K-1 champion says those days are nearing an end.
“The fight game has literally been my life, but, you know, through the years, I learned there’s more than just fighting,” Overeem told MMA Underground. “There’s just a lot more in life.
“I have three lovely daughters, and it’s time to be with them. It’s time to make the right choice, do the right thing, and that is now to pass my information, my knowledge – that’s a lot of fights, a lot of health stuff, longevity stuff – and then just be with my daughters.”
badr vs. overeem! “Will it be the last round?”
Badr Hari vs. Alistair Overeem will fight this Saturday in a highly anticipated explosive match during Glory Collision 4 at the Gelredome. But will it be the kickboxing match of the year or the final round for both fighters?
The two fighters, aged 37 and 42 respectively, are legends in the martial arts. Hari is the biggest name in kickboxing and is still active today. Instead, Overeem returns to the kickboxing ring after an illustrious MMA career in the UFC, even fighting for the heavyweight title but not winning it (read more below video).
Overeem’s last kickboxing fight was the K-1 final in 2010. Then the “Demolator” smashed his opponents. However, Spong, Saki and Peter Aerts could not succeed against Overeem who was a muscular colossus at the time. Incidentally, Badr Hari gave Overeem his last defeat in 2009.
Badr Hari vs. Overeem, Saturday at Glory
The match between the two is the third direct confrontation. They each took a win over the other, both by KO and in the first round. Their fight is the headliner in the gala that will take place in Arnhem on Saturday. Both Hari and Overeem have already indicated that they want to continue fighting after this match. Glory Champion Rico Verhoeven seems to be the goal (read more under video).
Glory Collision 4 also features four more title matches. Thai Petpanomrung Kiatmuu9 fights Mexican Abraham Vidales for the featherweight title. Tyjani Beztati fights Stoyan Koprivlenski for the lightweight title. Sergei Masloboyev will fight with Tarik Khbabez for the vacant light heavyweight title. In the Co-headliner there is the title match between Tiffany van Soest and Sarah Moussaddak.
