UFC belt only missing piece for Overeem

ORLANDO, Fla. -- At this point in his career, veteran heavyweight striker Alistair Overeem is singularly focused.

His choice of training camp helps make sure he stays that way.

Overeem is a powerful kickboxer who has won titles in every organization in which he has competed before arriving in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

He hopes a win over former champ Junior dos Santos on the UFC on Fox 17 card Saturday at Amway Center will help put him in a position to put the final jewel in his crown.

"I have three belts. Strikeforce, Dream and K-1. But there's one missing. We can't have closure without this last one. For me, it's the ultimate goal and where my resources are right now. I'm dedicated to it," the 35-year-old said Thursday after open workouts at the Hyatt Regency. "For me personally, there's only one thing left. If I can keep on goin, stay healthy, keep motivated, stay positive, then good things can happen."

The results have been very positive for Overeem since relocating his training camp to Greg Jackson's famed gym in Albuquerque, N.M.

Overeem knocked out Stefan Struve last December and then won a unanimous decision over Roy Nelson in March after dropping his first fight as part of Jackson's team to conclude a stretch of three losses in four fights.

Part of that success may have to do with spending his training camps in a quiet town. Overeem, a notorious partier who still considers Miami home, said Albuquerque is an ideal place to prepare for a fight.

"In Albuquerque, you train, you eat and you sleep. Then you go take a hike in the mountains if it's not too cold, which it is right now," Overeem said.

He's not the only one at the gym enjoying success. Holly Holm became the women's bantamweight champion with a knockout last month. Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone will fight for the lightweight belt in the main event against Rafael dos Anjos on Saturday and Carlos Condit will challenge Robbie Lawler for the middleweight belt next month.

Plus, former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is set to return to action this summer in hopes of reclaiming the light heavyweight belt that was stripped from him due to legal issues.

"I think everybody on the team is electrified by all the success. Holly did a great job against Rousey. The whole team was very happy. Let's continue this Saturday," Overeem said. "I'm learning every day. It's a very positive team with great attitudes and great coaching. For me, it's been great."

The resurgence has put Overeem in a position to at least think about fighting for a belt in 2016. If he gets the chance, it may be against Fabricio Werdum.

The current champion is actually the role model Overeem is using for his own quest.

Overeem competed in Pride at the same time Werdum was launching his career. He also owns a victory over Werdum in a Strikeforce bout just before they both joined the UFC.

"If I look at Werdum, he's made such a tremendous improvement and for me that's inspiration. I still remember his first fight in Pride back in 2003. I never thought he would become a champion, but he did," Overeem said. "For me, that's a great inspiration."

He could be on the verge of a another shot at Werdum should he beat dos Santos and the champion defeat Cain Velasquez in their rematch on Feb. 6.

That would mean Overeem would need to re-sign with the UFC when his contract expires. Overeem has discussed wanting to test the market, but chose to evade the question on Thursday.

"I'm 100 percent focused on this fight. I'm not going to discuss any other possibilities," he said. "We all like to have options, that's a good thing. But I'm very much looking forward to Junior and then everything else comes after."

A win over dos Santos opens far more possibilities and potentially an opportunity for Overeem to bring yet another belt to Albuquerque, though the victory party would probably be at South Beach.

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow him on Twitter: @adamhilllvrj