Former UFC title challenger Alistair Overeem says he is willing to fight heavyweight prospect Francis Ngannou.
During a fan Q&A in the Netherlands on Friday, Overeem shared his opinion on a heavyweight showdown against Ngannou, who is unbeaten in the UFC.
“Francis is a very strong guy and he’s doing really good,” Overeem said. “I think he’s on a six fight win streak in the UFC. I’m open. I don’t have a fight booked so I’m open for anybody.”
Overeem was then asked if he minded fighting an up-and-coming fighter and someone who was ranked below him.
“I don’t really pay attention to the rankings,” Overeem said. “I think he’s five and I’m number one. It is what it is. I see, that as an opponent, he’s a big guy, he’s a strong guy. I think he’s bigger than me. He’s a challenge and I just see it as a motivation–somebody trying to take something away from me. It’s not going to work.”
Overeem when on to say that he would be willing to fight Ngannou later this year.
“Well I don’t take time off, I’m always training, my weight is on point. I’m thinking November, December,” Overeem said. “I just became a dad again for the third time so first things first, last month was family time, ever since my fight with Werdum. But yeah, I’m open. If the UFC calls me and says let’s do this, then I’ll certainly say yes.”
