Alistair Overeem Talks Injuring Jon Jones, What's Next For Shogun Rua, Alexander Gustafsson
- Alistair Overeem appeared on Wednesday's "UFC Tonight" just days ahead of returning to the Octagon to meet Ben Rothwell. That fight is the co-main event for Friday's UFC Fight Night 50. The former Strikeforce heavyweight champion has been in the news for weeks concerning Jon Jones.
During a recent training session in New Mexico at Jackson's MMA, Jones went down with a knee injury. The UFC light heavyweight champion has already had surgery, and is scheduled to return in January to face Daniel Cormier. Overeem was the person "Bones" was working out with when the injury occurred.
"It was very innocent. It happened in warm up. It was a freak accident," he said. "Nothing intentionally happened. I was bummed, too, that the fight isn't happening."
Overeem only recently joined the gym, leaving his former training facilities in Florida and the Netherlands to work with the likes of Jones, Donald Cerrone, Tim Kennedy and countless others.
"I'm learning every day. I went in with an open mindset. It was the right choice," Overeem said. "Everyone is fantastic. I'm expecting good results from the high altitude training."
- Former UFC light heavyweight champion Mauricio "Shogun" Rua appears set to make his return to action, as "UFC Tonight" reported Rua is interested in a bout with Jimi Manuwa.
Rua (22-9) is just 1-3 in his last four, including a March third round TKO loss to Dan Henderson. Manuwa (14-1) suffered his first career defeat when he was stopped by Alexander Gustafsson that same month. The two could be set for the November 8 UFC card in Brazil.
- Alexander Gustafsson appeared dead-set on waiting for his shot at the UFC light heavyweight title. Now, "The Mauler" is starting to warm up to the idea of taking a fight while champion Jon Jones recovers and fights Daniel Cormier.
In a report on "UFC Tonight," Gustafsson's manager stated his fighter is willing to take on someone while he waits to cash in his title shot. Rumors of a potential Gustafsson-Anthony Johnson bout have been floating around.
Gustafsson (16-2) suffered a knee injury in training as he was preparing for a September fight with Jones. After Cormier stepped in as a replacement, Jones went down with his own injury and the bout was postponed until January.