UFC buying Strikeforce 'shocked' Alistair Overeem but he's 'very excited'

Props: MMA Hour
Quoteworthy:

"I was shocked when I read it, but I'm very excited. It's a very big upset in the MMA world, and the fighting world in general. But yeah, my first thought was, I'm excited. ... I see things through a positive lens. It can be really, really the best thing [that] ever happened to the sport, if it's used positive, and I see that happening. If it's used negative, then it's going to be a downfall. But I don't see that happening. I see this as a good thing, a good development, so I see the sport growing. We're going to have to wait and see how it works out. The fans are going to get to see the fights that are most appealing to them. I think this is what the sport needs to grow, because the sport has grown rapidly, but it's still not there yet. It still needs to grow bigger. I think [UFC president] Dana [White] wants this and I know I want this as well. We want the fights to be worldwide known. We want everybody worldwide to talk about these fights, like in the old days with Muhammad Ali and [Mike] Tyson, and we're not there yet. To get there, there's still some work to be done and I think Dana's working on that."

There might be a few Strikeforce employees that aren't exactly thrilled with Zuffa buying them out, but Alistair Overeem isn't one of them. Once he got over the shock of the sale, he realized all the good that can come from this, namely his BFF Dana White leading the charge to get the sport of MMA the recognition it truly deserves. The UFC President is clearly up for the job, considering his extensive list of accomplishments up to this point, and now he's got yet another competent promoter (Scott Coker) and a promotion with a stable of 140 fighters to help make his dream of global domination come true. As for "The Reem," he goes on to say that he's still focused on the heavyweight grand prix, which will go forward according to plan, and his first round opponent on June 18 in Dallas, Fabricio Werdum. When you're done salivating at the list of potential match-ups for "The Demolition Man" in the UFC, let us know if you agree with Overeem's assessment of the situation. Is Zuffa now officially ready to take over the world?