Alistair Overeem’s return to kickboxing has been pushed to next year.
Overeem has withdrawn from his title fight against reigning champion Rico Verhoeven at “GLORY: Collision 3” on Oct. 23 due to injury, promotion officials announced Wednesday morning.
Overeem took to Instagram to confirm the news and said that he’s been dealing with an injury for over a month. After trying to push through it, he ultimately decided it was best to withdraw.
“I deeply regret that I have to pull out of the fight against Rico Verhoeven,” Overem wrote. “I’ve never pulled out a fight before and trust me, this decision was hard to make.”
No replacement opponent for Verhoeven has been announced, and it’s unknown if the champion will remain on the card at GelreDome stadium in Arnhem, Netherlands.
Overeem was scheduled to compete in kickboxing for the first time since scoring a TKO win over Peter Aerts in the 2010 K-1 Grand Prix Final. The 41-year-old departed the UFC just days after a TKO loss to Alexander Volkov in February and although he’s not ruling out a return to MMA, Overeem told MMA Junkie in September that he’s planning on retiring from combat sports in 18 months.
You can read Overeem’s full statement on his withdrawal below:
To the fans..
I deeply regret that I have to pull out of the fight against Rico Verhoeven Oct 23th.
I’ve never pulled out a fight before and trust me, this decision was hard to make. I’ve been dealing with the injury for over a month.
Two days before the press conference, a couple of weeks ago, I wasn’t even able to walk straight.
After some treatment I felt much better. And since I’ve never been a quitter, I wasn’t going to quit now. I went back in camp. But… the injury got worse again and I could not even fulfill a complete training session.
Yesterday my coaches, my medical team and myself had to make the decision to pull out.
Oct 23 I was suppose to give the fans a show! I wanted to make sure that everybody in the arena and the ones at home watching, got what they came for; an entertaining high level fight. Even if I was at 90% now, or 80% maybe even, I would have gotten into that ring. But I’m at 40% and that’s not enough.
Fighters get out there. We train hard, work hard. There’s a lot at stake. Our sport can get you injured. Not only in the ring, but unfortunately also in preparation.I hope to get some understanding from you guys.
Will be back soon!🥊 Alistair
@glorykickboxing
