Alistair Overeem seems to be staying away from combat sports for good.
The mixed martial arts and kickboxing star announced his retirement during a recent interview with Lovin Dubai, where he also discussed his diet and drastic changes to his physique that came to light when
picture He appeared alongside Rizin CEO Nobuyuki Sakakibara on social media.
“This actually ties into what I want to do, because I actually just decided to stop fighting,” Overeem said (copied via
bloody elbow). “It is no longer my thing.”
“It’s been 25 years, right? We’ll do other great things now.”
Overeem was known for his massive physique during most of his combat sports career, but after working with a nutritionist, the Dutchman drastically changed his diet.
“I’ve been doing a lot of new things for health,” Overeem said. “This is my next chapter, health promotion.
Alistair Overeem came to Kanehara Orthopedic Clinic for treatment 🎵
I am grateful that my old comrades-in-arms have come to see mehttps://t.co/veEjhiCJCb pic.twitter.com/SOYaI0mo6S– Hiromitsu Kanehara (@kane8ra)
June 21, 2023
“I became a vegetarian too. I no longer want to eat meat. Meat is not good for you. It affects you negatively. Yes, it tastes delicious. Even now I can still eat meat, but I just choose not to.”
Overeem last fought under the Glory Kickboxing banner in October, defeating Badr Hari at Glory Collision 4. This match was canceled to a no contest when “The Demolition Man” tested positive for an unknown banned substance. Overeem was also suspended for one year.
Prior to signing with Glory, Overeem compiled a 12-8 mark with the UFC from 2011 to 2021. He came up short in his bid for heavyweight gold at UFC 203, suffering a first-round knockout loss to Stipe Miocic in September 2016 during his octagon stint, He achieved notable victories over the likes of Sergei Pavlovich, Fabricio Werdum, Mark Hunt, Andrei Arlovski, Junior dos Santos, Roy Nelson, Frank Mir and Brock Lesnar.
The 43-year-old Dutchman has compiled a 47-19 record during his MMA career that began in 1999. He has held titles in Strikeforce and Dream and also competed for the Pride Fighting Championships. Notable wins outside the UFC have included Vitor Belfort, Igor Vovchanchyn, Sergei Kharitonov, and Todd Duffee, among others. Overeem was also a K-1 kickboxing champion and the first athlete to hold titles in MMA and K-1 at the same time.