Once thought to be a non-title affair, the late-notice scrap between Todd Duffee and Alistair Overeem (Pictured) at “Dynamite: The Power of Courage 2010” will be for the Dream interim heavyweight crown.
Dream officials made the announcement regarding title implications for the bout on the promotion’s Web site on Thursday and confirmed the news during a pre-fight press conference. The victor of the match will be awarded an interim title, despite the promotion never before having crowned a heavyweight champion. The event is promoted by Dream and K-1 parent company Fighting and Entertainment Group and will go down New Year’s Eve from the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.
Overeem comes fresh off a destructive performance at the 2010 K-1 World Grand Prix Finals in which “The Demolition Man” lived up to his moniker, defeating Tyrone Spong, Gokhan Saki and Peter Aerts on Dec. 11 to snatch the coveted striking crown. He also holds the Strikeforce MMA heavyweight title. His last performance under mixed martial arts rules came in May, when he smashed top contender Brett Rogers in the first round of their bout at Strikeforce “Heavy Artillery” in St. Louis. The Dutchman has won eight of his last nine bouts, with the only blemish in that three-year span being a controversial no-contest to Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic at Dream 6 in 2008.
In Duffee, Overeem faces a quick heavyweight with great athleticism. A former UFC propect, Duffee started his career a perfect 6-0, including a first-round drubbing of Tim Hague in his 2009 UFC debut. The 25-year-old’s performance against Hague at UFC 102 earned him the official fastest knockout in promotion history. After suffering a knee injury, however, Duffee fell on hard times. Despite a stellar start against veteran Mike Russow at UFC 114 in May, Duffee was knocked out in the third round, bringing his unbeaten streak to a halt. He was released by the UFC in September and has not fought since.
Strange but a new belt for Overeem lol
!
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