Kickboxing Career
Overeem had his first professional kickboxing fight at 17 years old, in a K-1 rules fight on November 15, 1997 (1997-11-15). After that he fought against Paul Hordijk, winning by decision on March 14, 1999 (1999-03-14). Overeem then moved onto K-1, having two K-1 Kickboxing fights in 6 years against Errol Parris and Glaube Feitosa. Overeem was knocked out in both bouts and stayed with MMA from then on. He did not fight in K-1 for 4 more years.
On December 31, 2008, Overeem faced Badr Hari, one of K-1's top contenders, under K-1 rules. He defeated Hari by way of knockout in the first round. After that, he faced Remy Bonjasky, the defending K-1 champion. Overeem came out aggressive in the first and second rounds, bullying Bonjasky and landing some impressive offense, but in the third was knocked down by a right hook from Bonjasky, who thereby secured a unanimous decision win. All three judges scored the bout 30–28.
On September 26 at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 Final 16, having been selected by fan voting after his impressive performances against Remy Bonjasky and Badr Hari, Overeem shocked the kickboxing world by achieving a huge upset. He defeated K-1's longest serving member, legendary 3-time champion Peter Aerts by unanimous decision. At the K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 Final, Overeem knocked out Kyokushin Karate Champion, Ewerton Teixeira with a knee strike in the first round, but lost to Badr Hari, via TKO from a head kick in the Semi Finals.
At the K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 in Yokohama, Overeem defeated Dzevad Poturak via KO (right knee) in Round 1 at 2:40. Overeem defeated Ben Edwards by TKO in the first round on October 2, 2010 at K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 Final 16.
On December 11, at the Ariake Coliseum, Overeem fought at and won the K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 Final. In the quarter finals, he beat Tyrone Spong by Unanimous decision. In the semi finals he came face to face with his teammate Gokhan Saki, who he defeated by first round TKO due to injury, breaking Saki's right arm with a hard left kick. Saki's arm was already injured as a result of his previous fight with Daniel Ghita. In the finals, he fought Peter Aerts for the second time. Alistair came out aggressively and finished Peter in the first round.
Read more about this topic: Alistair Overeem
Famous quotes containing the word career:
“A black boxer’s career is the perfect metaphor for the career of a black male. Every day is like being in the gym, sparring with impersonal opponents as one faces the rudeness and hostility that a black male must confront in the United States, where he is the object of both fear and fascination.”
—Ishmael Reed (b. 1938)