Fanboying With Alistair Overeem!
Front kick to the face! And the fan goes down!
When in Manila, Alistair Overeem electrified the gathering crowd at SM Megamall last Sunday as the UFC and Phoenix Petroleum gave Filipinos a foretaste of how crazy UFC Fight Night Manila will be this May 16. Having won multiple championships in kickboxing and MMA, “The Demolition Man” was eager to kick the fan’s ass… in a video game.
Alistair takes a “groupfie” with the Manila crowd
Choosing to compete as Junior Dos Santos, the winner of the EA Sports UFC tournament held prior to the event had his hands full, facing Overeem in the game while being intimidated by the hulking figure – the real Overeem – beside him! It took a front kick to send JDS to the canvas: a highlight reel finish from Alistair Overeem himself! As consolation, “The Reem” signed his cap and gave it to the lucky fan.
“The Reem” playing as himself in EA Sports UFC video game
Asked who he’ll be fighting next, Overeem announced that he’ll know in two weeks’ time, but he’s leaning towards former UFC heavyweight champ Junior Dos Santos. A win over “Cigano” would bolster The Reem’s standing straight into the Top 5 after winning two straight against Stefan Struve and Roy Nelson in his prior bouts. Now training with Jackson and Winklejohn at Albuquerque, New Mexico, expect a more calculated Overeem to enter the cage against JDS or whoever stands opposite him next.
Aside from showing his skills in gaming, Overeem demonstrated his Dutch-style kickboxing that has defined his success in MMA. The five finalists of the UFC Octagon Girl Manila search by Monster Energy were also unveiled, with the giddy Mirtle Keith Gimenez, adorably nervous Red Dela Cruz, ultra-poised Christine Elle, and strutting Krystal Pelomiana taking to the stage and coaxing the crowd to vote for them on the UFC website. (Finalist Nicole Laurell wasn’t able to grace the event. Check out her profile on the website as well.) The winner of the search will strut side-by-side with everyone’s favorite Octagon girl Arianny Celeste on May 16.
From left to right: Mirtle Gimenez, Red Dela Cruz, Alistair Overeem, Christine Elle, and Krystal Pelomiana
The promotion’s first event in the Philippines, UFC Fight Night Manila features former UFC lightweight champ Frankie Edgar going head to head against “The California Kid” Urijah Faber for the main event of the evening. Other must-watch bouts include a middleweight battle between Gegard Mousasi and Costas Philippou, and what could possibly be Mark Munoz’s last UFC appearance against Luke Barnatt, also at middleweight. Tickets are sold via www.smtickets.com. For continuous updates on UFC Fight Night Manila and other MMA events, check out www.mmaphil.com.
UFC Fight Night: Edgar vs. Faber
Frankie Edgar vs. Urijah Faber
Gegard Mousasi vs. Costas Philippou
Mark Munoz vs. Luke Barnatt
Hyun Gyu Lim vs. Neil Magny
Phillipe Nover vs. Yui Chul Nam
Tae Hyun Bang vs. Jon Tuck
Mark Eddiva vs. Alex White
Zhang Lipeng vs. Kajan Johnson
Ning Guangyou vs. Royston Wee
Nolan Ticman vs. Yao Zhikui
Li Jingliang vs. Roger Zapata
Roldan Sangcha-an vs. Jon Delos Reyes
Fanboying with Alistair Overeem!
