MMA SPORTS: Congratulations on your win against Fabricio Werdum, what were your
thoughts on the fight?
Alistair: I was very happy with the win but after watching the fight, I was a little disappointed about the fight itself, but those are things that can happen in MMA.

MMA SPORTS: You got revenge from your 2006 fight with Werdum, that must have felt good?
Alistair: Sure, but getting revenge is not on my mind, my focus is to win the fight and make sure to advance to the semi final. It’s always nice to settle a score, but this win wasn’t any sweeter than normal, but the most important thing is that I fought a dangerous opponent and beat him.

MMA SPORTS: Didn't look like Werdum wanted any part of your standup, did you
anticipate that?
Alistair: Yes, that was no surprise, but that he wanted to flop on his back all the time was also something I didn’t expect. I think he was getting frustrated that he couldn’t get me to the ground. I was thinking the same thing; don’t go to the ground with him, unfortunately for him the fight starts standing.

MMA SPORTS: Not many people like to stand and trade with you, why do you think that is?
Alistair: Winning the biggest stand up combat league K-1 is not something you do overnight. I’m not going to say I’m the best striker in the world, but it’s no secret that in Holland we have a very high level kickboxing and stand up fighting division, and therefore a lot of fighters would rather go to the ground with me.

MMA SPORTS: Brock Lesnar is next for you at UFC 141, what are your thoughts of him as a fighter?
Alistair: He’s an ex UFC champion and a very dangerous opponent, he’s big and strong and very athletic for a guy his size.

MMA SPORTS: What were your thoughts when you got the call to fight Brock Lesnar?
Alistair: I didn’t get a call saying you are fighting Brock; it was something we discussed together. There was a possibility that I could fight the winner of Cain vs JDS for the title, but that meant that I have to wait for a long time, and that was not something I wanted to do. So if you are really honest, there is no better opponent then Brock to have for your first fight. We are both big and strong and are similar in some ways, but also very different in other ways.

MMA SPORTS: If I were to lay down a bet, who should I bet on and how will the fight?
Alistair: What kind of answer do you expect; people can bet on who they want, that’s not my concern. My only concern is to beat Brock Lesnar in the first round.

MMA SPORTS: Finish the sentence, after UFC 141, Brock Lesnar will _____________?
Alistair: Not fight for the title.

MMA SPORTS: What will fans see from this fight?
Alistair: They will see that there is another heavyweight fighter out there that is hunting for his next belt, and that person is ‘The Reem’.

MMA SPORTS: You've fought all over the world, but this will be your first UFC fight, how does that feel?
Alistair: Great, if you look at my career I have been in many promotions and fought a long time now, and this is the most logical step in my career to make, and that is fight for the biggest promotion out there, the UFC. I’m very excited to show the world who ‘The Reem’ is, and that they can expect great fights!

MMA SPORTS: You're on a big winning streak, have been looking great in your fights, is this the best Alistair Overeem we've seen?
Alistair: The sport grows, so you have to grow as a fighter as well, if I want to have the UFC belt, I have to be even better.

MMA SPORTS: Now that you are in the UFC, are fans going to see Alistair Overeem as the UFC Heavyweight Champion?
Alistair: That’s my main goal, I have 3 beautiful belts, but to be the true number one, I need that UFC belt.

MMA SPORTS: UFC announced they are going to Japan in February, and with you being such a big star there, is that a fight card you'd like to be on?
Alistair: Yes, but I think it will be too soon, the winner of the Cain vs JDS fight will fight the winner of our fight, and if I win then I doubt the title fight will be in Japan, but I would love to fight for the Japanese people, Japan is for me a special place.