Brock Lesnar vs. Alistair Overeem Headlines Thrilling Day of UFC Matchups

Four days after announcing that the UFC heavyweight championship will be on the line at UFC on Fox 1 in November, UFC president Dana White made yet another blockbuster announcement.

Former UFC heavyweight champion and polarizing athlete Brock Lesnar (5-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC) will welcome Alistair Overeem (35-11 MMA, 0-0 UFC) to the organization on December 30 in Las Vegas.

“Brock Lesnar vs Alistair Overeem, Friday, Dec. 30 in Las Vegas,” White tweeted.

Lesnar makes his return to action after recovering from a second bout with diverticulitis. He’ll be facing one of the most dangerous heavyweight strikers in the world when he faces Overeem.

Overeem makes his way to the UFC after a stint in Strikeforce, where he was the organization’s heavyweight champion. He was released after a conflict with officials that involved his team Golden Glory. Subsequently, Overeem and multiple teammates were released from the Zuffa roster.

Lesnar and Overeem will serve as a No. 1 contender matchup to determine who will face the winner of Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos.

Additionally, Kevin Iole of Yahoo! Sports first reported a lightweight matchup that fans have been clamoring for in Clay Guida (29-11 MMA, 9-5 UFC) vs. Ben Henderson (14-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC) at UFC on Fox 1.

Guida is riding a wave of momentum since defeating Anthony Pettis earlier this year and is on a four-fight win streak that includes submission victories over Takanori Gomi and Rafael dos Anjos.

Henderson, a former WEC lightweight champion, is 2-0 in the UFC since joining the talent-rich division. He followed up an April victory over Mark Bocek by outclassing Jim Miller at UFC on Versus 5 to place himself in the upper tier of the division.

While it hasn’t been announced, Guida versus Henderson will likely serve as a No. 2 contender bout.

In more time pressing news, former welterweight champion and UFC Hall of Famer Matt Hughes announced via Twitter that he has given the organization his blessing in facing Josh Koscheck or Jon Fitch in the co-main event of UFC 135 on September 24.

"Still waiting to hear back from the UFC," Hughes tweeted. "I have said 'yes' to facing either Koscheck or Fitch at UFC 135. I should know more later."

Rounding out the busy day for UFC officials is Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto (18-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC) versus Darren Uyenoyama (6-3 MMA, 0-0 UFC) at UFC on Fox 1. Brian Ebersole (48-14-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) faces Rory MacDonald (12-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) at UFC 140 in December.

While Lesnar and Overeem undoubtedly stole the show today, the additional news is sure to please fight fans across the globe.