Overeem eyes return at UFC 156 to face ‘Bigfoot’ Silva on Super Bowl weekend

Alistair Overeem is expected to make his return to the cage against Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva in a matchup of massive heavyweight contenders at UFC 156 on Feb. 2 at Mandalay Bay.

Overeem’s appearance on the card is pending approval from the Nevada Athletic Commission, as he is serving a nine-month suspension for an out-of-competition drug test conducted by the NAC that revealed elevated testosterone levels. The 32-year-old is eligible to re-apply for a license Dec. 27.

“Come Dec. 27, he’s like any other fighter,” NAC executive director Keith Kizer said. “He’s free to apply for his license. The commission will not do it administratively, however. He has to appear at a commission meeting.”

The next commission hearing after that date likely will take place in early to mid-January, Kizer said. Overeem is expected to request a license at that hearing.

“The commission can go any way they want to at that meeting. They could say yes; they could say no; they could say yes with conditions,” Kizer said. “All of that will be on the table, but nothing can happen as far as licensure until after (Dec. 27).”

Kizer said he doesn’t have a problem with a fight being promoted before a fighter is officially licensed as long as the public is aware of the potential for a denial of the license and, therefore, a change to the event.

Overeem’s return to action would make him an instant factor in the heavyweight title picture. Long ranked among the world’s top fighters, Overeem made his UFC debut in December with a first-round knockout of Brock Lesnar. Overeem then was to face Junior dos Santos for the heavyweight belt until the Dutch kickboxer failed a surprise NAC drug test that was administered at a March 27 news conference promoting the fight.

Silva is coming off a first-round knockout of Travis Browne last month.

The Overeem-Silva fight is not the only bout that will be added to what is shaping up to be a major event.

Light heavyweight contender Rashad Evans will take on Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. Evans, a former champion, will look to rebound from a loss to champion Jon Jones in a light heavyweight title bout in April. Nogueira, the twin brother of heavyweight Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, has been hampered by injuries and has not competed since a first-round knockout of Tito Ortiz in December.

The card also features a previously announced main event featherweight title bout between Frankie Edgar and champion Jose Aldo.

Tickets for UFC 156 will go on sale Nov. 30.

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