MMA's Alistair Overeem: Ultimate Combat Champion?

There are several words to describe Alistair Overeem: Devastating, gigantic, powerful, talented—I could go on. However, the word I would use is "versatile."

“The Demolition Man” currently holds three world titles. Overeem is currently the Strikeforce Heavyweight champion, Dream Interim-Heavyweight champion (strangely there is no “real” heavyweight title), and the K-1 World Grand-Prix champion.

He is the first man to win world championships at the highest levels in MMA and kickboxing. Overeem could also add to his collection the Strikeforce Grand Prix title in 2012.

For most fighters, being an MMA fighter is a full-time commitment. A few special fighters are able to excel in MMA and another combat sport, such as kickboxing or BJJ. No fighter, however, has been able to win world titles in three different combat sports.

That is precisely what Alistair Overeem is aiming for.

As reported by Mike Chiappetta of MMAFighting.com, in a recent interview by a Polish news site, Overeem was asked what his plans were if he won Strikeforce’s Grand Prix tournament. Overeem answered that his first choice would be to fight whoever holds the UFC Heavyweight belt. If the UFC remains adamant that UFC and Strikeforce fighters are to remain separate, then Overeem has an even more ambitious goal: He wants to fight one of the Klitschkos.

You read that right.

Overeem wants to box one of the two heavyweight champions in boxing.

Together, the Klitschko brothers have practically cleaned out boxing’s already dull heavyweight division. There are really no credible opponents left that can challenge either brother or stir enough fan interest to generate any type of buzz.

If Overeem were to fight either Klitschko it would inject a huge shot of adrenaline into an otherwise bland division. An MMA/kickboxing champion crossing over to challenge one of the two heavyweight champions would be the first super fight of its kind.

It wouldn’t even matter which Klitschko Overeem fought. Both brothers are respected, dominant champions and casual fans can’t tell which brother is which anyway. I don’t think it is too far-fetched to think that Overeem could immediately fight for one of the alphabet-soup belts.

With Overeem’s accomplishments, physique and the attraction of the spectacle itself, the fight would generate more mainstream interest than any other heavyweight fight that can be made. It’s not like Overeem is leapfrogging a long list of challengers. There’s hardly a list at all.

Although neither Klitschko is very popular in the states, both are huge draws in Europe. Overeem also has a huge European following, so I’m sure the fight will draw record numbers anywhere they go.

The baddest man on the planet used to be reserved for the heavyweight champion in boxing. With MMA’s rapid popularity over the years, some say this fictional title belongs to the UFC heavyweight champion.

However, if Overeem wins the Strikeforce Grand Prix tournament, gets a fight with either one of the Klitschkos and is able to dethrone him for one (or more) of the heavyweight titles, then there would be no denying him as the baddest man on the planet.

Strikeforce Heavyweight and Grand Prix champion, Dream Heavyweight champion, K-1 Grand Prix champion and one (or more depending on which brother he fought) of the heavyweight boxing titles?

This would make Overeem not only the baddest man on the planet, but The Ultimate Combat champion (patent pending).