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Alistair Overeem Announces Combat Sports Retirement, Shares New Career Pursuit

Originally posted on MMA News | By Curtis Calhoun | Last updated 10/8/23

Former UFC heavyweight title challenger Alistair Overeem has announced his retirement from kickboxing and MMA.

The 43-year-old Overeem underwent a massive physical transformation over the past year; looking like a fraction of the gigantic specimen he once was. After a brief return to fighting at Glory: Collision 4 last October resulted in a no-contest, he's decided to transition away from fighting and to his next chapter.

In his prime, Overeem was one of the most featured heavyweights in MMA. After impressive runs in Pride and Dream, Overeem signed with the UFC in 2011 following the Strikeforce merger.

While Overeem won titles in multiple promotions, he didn't quite capture his earlier magic in the UFC. After a long, successful career, he's opted to call it quits and focus on a new passion.

Alistair Overeem Announces Move From Fighting To Politics

In a recent Instagram post, Overeem announced his retirement and shared what's next for him.

"With this post I will officially announce an end to my fighting career," Overeem began. "I will be forever grateful for all the amazing people I got to meet and work with, all the opportunities given to me and the amazing places I got to venture out and see. My fight just isn’t over yet. I will continue my fight in the Dutch politics and in promoting mental&physical health all across the globe...

"Big Love and Thanks to everyone and everything that the sport has brought me. I will always continue to fight!"

Overeem amassed a 47-19-1 record in MMA. He also won the K-1 World Heavyweight Grand Prix over Peter Aerts in 2010.

Overeem burst onto the scene in the UFC by earning a dominant win over former champion Brock Lesnar in his UFC 141 debut. He went on to trade wins and losses in the Octagon but challenged for the UFC heavyweight title at UFC 203 against Stipe Miocic.

Overeem concluded his UFC tenure by winning four of his last six fights in the cage. His last MMA win came against Augusto Sakai in a UFC Fight Night main event in Sept. 2020.

Overeem will look to become the latest former UFC standout to make the smooth transition to politics. BJ Penn, Tito Ortiz, and Wanderlei Silva are among former UFC fighters who have dipped their toes into politics after fighting.

This article first appeared on MMA News and was syndicated with permission.

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