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UFC star Overeem gets license, clearing path to fight ‘Bigfoot’ Silva on UFC 156 card

By Adam HillLAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
January 9, 2013 - 2:02 am
 

Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight star Alistair Overeem was granted an unconditional license during a Nevada Athletic Commission meeting Monday, clearing the way for him to fight Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva at UFC 156 on Feb. 2 at Mandalay Bay.

The commission voted unanimously to approve Overeem's license after a brief discussion of his application. Overeem was suspended nine months by the commission in April after an out-of-competition test revealed significantly elevated levels of testosterone.

NAC executive director Keith Kizer told the commission that Overeem had submitted five clean drug tests to his doctor. Two random tests ordered by the NAC also came back negative.

Overeem offered no comment as he left Monday's meeting, other than to reiterate what had transpired in his hearing and say how much he was looking forward to his return to action.

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

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