Alistair Overeem, “The Demolition Man”, has been unstoppable in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts, not suffering a loss in over three years. On Nov. 16, 2007, he became the first STRIKEFORCE MMA heavyweight champion in history, crushing Paul “The Headhunter” Buentello with knee strikes to the body in the second round of their matchup. On December 11, 2010, he won three fights at the one night, eight-man K-1 Grand Prix, capping off a winning night by scoring a first-round (1:07) TKO in the finals over K-1 legend Peter Aerts. On December 31, 2010, he picked up another title winning the Dream interim heavyweight championship by knocking out Todd Duffee in 19 seconds at Dynamite 2010!! Overeem has become the first fighter in history to simultaneously hold a major MMA and K-1 Grand Prix title.

One thing is certain, the 6-foot-5, 30-year-old Alistair Overeem loves to finish fights, and in this exclusive interview with MMA SPORTS, he says it best…

“I have more than 50 fights under my belt and only have 4 decision fights”.

MMA SPORTS: How did you get the nickname Demolition Man?
The Reem: A friend of mine gave me that name, I was at his place playing video games and my manager called me up and told me that I should have a nickname. So my friend said you are the demolition man. I was like OK, so I called my manager and gave him that name and from then on it stuck, but now I like to be called simply; The Reem.

MMA SPORTS: In 2010, you made history by becoming the Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion, DREAM Interim Heavyweight Champion, and K-1 World Grand Prix Champion, how did that feel?
The Reem: Yes, that’s one of my highlights in my career, but we all know new challenges are already ongoing. We have the Strikeforce Grand Prix title and now with Zuffa owning Strikeforce, there is a big possibility to go for the UFC title.

MMA SPORTS: How is training coming along for your upcoming fight against Fabricio Werdum?
The Reem: Training is going good and feeling more and more ready for the fight.

MMA SPORTS: You’ve finished your last six fights in the first round, how do you think this one will finish?
The Reem: Werdum is very dangerous, so I’m not going to predict the round, but I’m confident that I’m going to win the fight.

MMA SPORTS: Finish the sentence, after June 18, Fabricio Werdum will __________?
The Reem: Not call me ‘my son’ ever again.

MMA SPORTS: What can fans expect from your next fight?
The Reem: It will be a good fight for sure.

MMA SPORTS: If you win this next fight you face Antonio Silva who defeated Fedor, what do you think about that fight?
The Reem: His last performance was impressive, and he’s a good fighter that’s not only big and strong, but can fight too.

MMA SPORTS: Any advice for Antonio Silva?
The Reem: No not really, he knows that he has to train hard for this fight, that’s what I’m going to do anyway.

MMA SPORTS: Lets go back to your last fight, Todd Duffee, it lasted 19 seconds, do you always like to finish fights?
The Reem: Yes, it’s your obligation as fighter to go for the finish. People don’t pay money to have decision fights. Sometimes it happens and that’s part of the game, but your game plan can never be to win a fight on decision. You have to go for the finish; if you watch all my fights then you know that I’m that person. I have more than 50 fights under my belt and only have 4 decision fights.

MMA SPORTS: Now that UFC has purchased Strikeforce, would you like to fight in the UFC?
The Reem: Sure, if I’m able to win the Grand Prix then, it would be more then logical to go to the UFC and challenge the number one guy there. I’ve always stated that the Strikeforce heavyweight division is better than the UFC heavyweight division, and now it’s time to prove it.

MMA SPORTS: Who would you like to fight in the UFC and why?
The Reem: I don’t mind and it’s up to the UFC to decide. If they want me to have a tune up fight then its fine by me, but I always like to challenge the best guy out there, so my pick at the moment will be Cain Velasquez.

MMA SPORTS: Cain Velasquez is the UFC heavyweight champion, you’re the strikeforce heavyweight champion, how do you think a fight with him would end?
The Reem: Great fight if you ask me, Cain is number one for sure, and we both like to finish fights, so I know for a fact that it will not be a boring fight.

MMA SPORTS: You’ve had some great moments in your career, what would you say was your greatest MMA moment?
The Reem: That’s very difficult to tell because every highlight in your life is great and represents a curtain period in your life. My first big achievement was winning the 2h2h world title against Rodney Faverus, we both were at the time the best of Holland (maybe Europe). Then we have the third place at the Pride Middleweight tournament, and defending my belt against Brett Rogers was something to be proud of too.

MMA SPORTS: And what was your greatest kickboxing moment?
The Reem: That’s easy; my KO victory over Badr Hari and winning the 2010 K-1 Grand Prix title.

MMA SPORTS: Going back to the Cro Cop fight in which you were dominating, it ended as a no contest due to Cro Cop complaining of groin strikes, what are your thoughts on the fight and on Cro Cop?
The Reem: At that time I wanted to fight Cro Cop pretty bad. He was the fighter that was still fighting in Japan and he was saying he wanted to challenge himself, so I put myself out there. The fight was a little unfortunate. On one hand I hit him in the groin, but on the other hand I had a feeling he was broke mentally. I was winning the fight and I felt that if we went on I would have won the fight, but Cro Cop is not on my mind anymore. I respect him for all he has done for M.M.A. and wish him the best in life.

MMA SPORTS: Are you interested in a rematch with him and how would it end?
The Reem: No, we both are in different stages of our career and I don’t think a fight between us makes much sense now. I never turn down a fight, so if he wants to have his last fight against me, then I’m honored and I will do it, but again I don’t think it will happen.

MMA SPORTS: You defeated some top names in the sport, what has been your favorite fight?
The Reem: Very hard to say, I like the fights that I have won when I was the underdog, and the fights that I was facing a guy that I looked up to when I was young. My first fight against Vitor Belfort or my fight against Igor Vovchanchyn are special, but my fight against Badr Hari and Peter Aerts are also memorable.

MMA SPORTS: In the dressing room, while you are waiting for your fight, what are you thinking of and what are you feeling?
The Reem: Being so experienced now, I don’t feel or think any different than normal. I will talk to my team about everyday stuff and stay relaxed.

MMA SPORTS: What is the first thing that goes through your head, when you are standing across from your opponent and the cage door shuts?
The Reem: I’m just focused and I think of my preparation and what went into it, and I don’t have anything on my mind. I have a clear mind when we start.

MMA SPORTS: What is one rule you would like to see implemented in MMA in the U.S.?
The Reem: I would rather see elbows on the ground banned and introduce knees to the ground instead.

MMA SPORTS: In a sentence, tell me what you think about the following MMA fighters:
The Reem:
- Cain Velasquez: The number one heavyweight fighter at the moment.
- Brock Lesnar: Big and strong fighter that lacks experience, but will come back strong.
- Mirko Cro Cop: Legend and KO artist that had a great career in M.M.A.
- Fabricio Werdum: The best M.M.A. grappler in the world.
- Josh Barnett: Strong and underrated fighter at the moment.
- Junior Dos Santos: The future heavyweight fighter that I will face in the future.
- Fedor Emelianenko: The GOAT, legend.
- Antonio Silva: Big, Strong and getting better with each fight.
- Shane Carwin: Powerful striker and seems like a humble and nice guy.
- Frank Mir: Solid fighter, but will not win a championship in the UFC again.
- Roy Nelson: Great and fun character/personality for the sport, can give anyone problems.

MMA SPORTS: Thank you for the interview, any final words?
The Reem: I would like to thank all my fans and watch my online documentary on www.thereem.com and follow me on twitter; alistairovereem.