Alistair Overeem Out of DREAM.15 Bout with Ricco Rodriguez

by Dave Walsh on Jun 30, 2010 6:30 PM EDT in DREAM

Just as it leaked out, it dissipates just as quickly. Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion and K-1 World Grand Prix 3rd place fighter Alistair Overeem will not be participating in DREAM.15 as was reported earlier. By the looks of it, Overeem is yet another high-profile fighter who has a problem with FEG and their business practices.

Rodriguez's agent, Ken Pavia, today said that he holds a signed contract for the bout. De Jong, though, said there's no such paperwork on his side.

"I didn't get any contract, and Alistair didn't agree, so it's not going to happen," he said.

The trainer said Overeem has no problem fighting Rodriguez and that the decision to skip the July 10 date stems from other issues with the promotion. However, he declined to divulge details.

It's unclear how Overeem can sidestep his contract if he chooses not to fight for the Japanese promotion. The heavyweight signed a multi-year, multi-fight agreement with DREAM in 2009 that drew the ire of stateside fans who said he neglected his duty to defend his Strikeforce belt.

While nothing is said explicitly, after the issues that Nick Diaz, Giorgio Petrosyan and others have had with getting paid by FEG for appearances, it would not surprise me if DREAM owed Overeem some serious money. This of course comes after there being serious rumors circulating about DREAM being in peril. Stay tuned to this one.

SBN coverage of DREAM.15

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Ricco was granted a stay of execution.

by Yasnian on Jun 30, 2010 7:41 PM EDT reply actions

It seems that any promotion not run by zuffa is being run directly into the ground. It’s a shame that shady business dealings are keeping high quality fighters from competing against each other, not that Rico is on overeem’s level, but after Saturday you never know. It seems more and more like the things that are eroding boxing have leaked in to the mma world.

by havomaster on Jun 30, 2010 8:25 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Uhhh everyone mentioned DID received their pay… Despite some of the unsuccessful ratings which overall got blown out of proportion, DREAM’s going nowhere, in fact you’ll be kicking yourself for even thinking about it dissolving.

by dosomething on Jun 30, 2010 11:24 PM EDT reply actions

They all had disputes over money

Did Petrosyan ever get paid for the MAX GP? Until recently Rutz was saying no.

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by Dave Walsh on Jul 1, 2010 12:15 AM EDT up reply actions

And Tanikawa responded that’s not true and Rutz is a liar. It all comes down to who you trust more.

As for me, fact is the late payments isn’t a new thing and was around for years but the first person openly going into press about this is the person who is a direct rival to FEG. Rutz should worry about the police investigating illegal gambling going on in dutch kickboxing scene and solving the pathological situation where he is the manager and at the same time employer of some fighters than taking shots at K-1.

by jinsoku on Jul 1, 2010 5:03 AM EDT up reply actions