Brock Lesnar booked for December 30 bout with Alistair Overeem

Former UFC heavyweight champ Brock Lesnar will dive back into the divisional pool head-first when he finally makes his way back to the Octagon after more than a year away rather than take a leisurely swim against a relatively beatable opponent. Playing the role of “Great White Shark” will be none other than imposing Dutchman Alistair Overeem.

According to the UFC, the well-rounded “Demolition Man” has signed with the organization and will debut against Lesnar on December 30 in Las Vegas at the company’s annual New Year’s Eve weekend event. Overeem had previously been signed to Strikeforce but saw his deal dissolved after refusing to fight at this month’s Grand Prix semifinal event for health-related reasons.

Lesnar burst onto the UFC scene three years ago after nearly beating Frank Mir in his debut and then winning his next four fights including a title-fight against Randy Couture and subsequent successful defense of the belt against Shane Carwin. However, Lesnar suffered a one-sided beatdown to current champion Cain Velasquez last October and hasn’t competed since due in part to his diverticulitis flaring back up, a situation forcing him out of a scheduled scrap with Junior dos Santos over the summer.

In the former Strikeforce/DREAM/K-1 star, Lesnar will face a 35-11 kickboxer with a solid ground-game to back his striking up. Overeem has had his hand raised in ten straight fights and is coming off a victory over “Top 5” heavyweight Fabricio Werdum. All but two of his wins have involved a stoppage.

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC

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MMATraining Take: It was only a matter of time before Overeem signed with the UFC so I’m glad Golden Glory and Zuffa finally worked their contractual issues out. Putting Overeem in the Octagon against Lesnar, depending on outcome, is a great opportunity for the UFC to either showcase a new talent against a widely known former champ or show Brock is still a force to be reckoned with.