UFC Exec: Dos Santos-Overeem On for Memorial Day Weekend

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UFC fans now have a timetable for the promotion’s next heavyweight blockbuster, as Zuffa Chairman and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta revealed early Friday morning that Junior dos Santos is expected to defend his title against Alistair Overeem on Memorial Day weekend in Las Vegas.

The executive announced the news via Twitter while responding to a fan query about the impending heavyweight title bout. While it has not been announced officially by the promotion, UFC 146 is expected to take place May 26 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Dos Santos captured the championship this past November at UFC on Fox 1, knocking out reigning king Cain Velasquez in just 64 seconds to lift the title. However, “Cigano” entered the bout with a torn meniscus in his left knee that would require surgery, which he underwent in December. Dos Santos has been beaten only once since turning pro in 2006, earning nine consecutive wins, eight of which have come in the Octagon.

A former Strikeforce, Dream and K-1 kickboxing champion, Overeem earned his shot at the title by besting former UFC kingpin Brock Lesnar at UFC 141 in December. The hard-hitting Dutchman delivered a decisive first-round finish, dropping Lesnar with a debilitating body kick and finishing the job with ground-and-pound. A former Pride Fighting Championships light heavyweight standout, Overeem has found his greatest success by bulking up to heavyweight, winning 11 straight fights since his last loss in 2007.

Overeem is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 21 to address a recent charge of alleged misdemeanor battery stemming from a Jan. 2 incident in Las Vegas. At this time it is unknown how, if at all, the alleged charge will affect Overeem’s fighting schedule in 2012. According to a recent report from the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Overeem could face a maximum penalty of six months in the Clark County Detention Center and not more than a $1,000 fine.