Overeem-Lesnar Slated for Dec. 30 in Las Vegas

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Former Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem will make his UFC debut on Dec. 30, as “The Demolition Man” is set to square off against the returning Brock Lesnar at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

UFC officials announced the news Tuesday via Facebook. Little is currently known about the UFC’s Dec. 30 offering outside of the scheduled five-round main event between Overeem and Lesnar. The winner of the contest is expected to receive first crack at the winner of Cain Velasquez’s title defense against Junior dos Santos on Nov. 12.

Overeem, 31, has not lost since 2007. The 2010 K-1 world grand prix champion was recently released from his Strikeforce contract with one fight remaining on his deal after he withdrew from the promotion’s ongoing heavyweight grand prix due to injury. Since joining Strikeforce’s heavyweight ranks, the Golden Glory representative has bested Brett Rogers and, most recently, Fabricio Werdum on June 18.

The man known as “The ‘Reem” has also done a variety of damage abroad. In addition to his run in the K-1 tournament, the Dutchman flattened former UFC prospect Todd Duffee to win Dream’s interim heavyweight championship on Dec. 31.

Lesnar is currently recovering from his second surgery brought on by diverticulitis. The massive heavyweight was first diagnosed with the intestinal disorder in 2010 and appeared to have the condition under control following an initial surgery.

However, his symptoms resurfaced this summer and Lesnar was forced to withdraw from a planned UFC 131 bout with opposing “Ultimate Fighter 13” coach dos Santos. Lesnar’s last Octagon appearance came at UFC 121 in October 2010, when the former NCAA wrestling champion was knocked out by Velasquez in the first round, losing his UFC heavyweight belt.