Overeem: I still want to be UFC heavyweight champion

When top-tier heavyweight Alistair Overeem (36-12 MMA, 1-1 UFC) first crossed over from Strikeforce to the UFC, he was offered an immediate heavyweight title fight. The Dutch striker chose to fight immediately instead of waiting for his promised title fight, and went 1-1 in the octagon before being suspended for a positive drug test.

Now back and scheduled to fight, the former Strikeforce heavyweight champion has one thing on his mind… The UFC heavyweight title:

“Yes absolutely (this is a fresh start),” Overeem told Bleacher Report. “I believe that both Browne and myself are top ranked fighters and the winner of this fight will be one step closer in getting a title shot, so in that sense I know this fight can put me right on track as I still have one goal in life and that’s becoming the UFC heavyweight champion.

“I know there are more fighters going after that number one spot but with the nature of the sport anything can happen. So my main focus is my next fight and afterwards we will see who or when I will be fighting next.”

Overeem is scheduled to take on Travis Browne (14-1-1 MMA, 5-1-1 UFC) at UFC on FOX Sports 1 1, which takes place August 17 at Boston’s TD Garden.