UFC Heavyweight Alistair Overeem. Photo Credit: Esther Lin/Strikeforce

By FCF Staff

Coming off his third stoppage loss in four fights, Alistair Overeem has released a statement regarding his first round defeat to Ben Rothwell at UFC Fight Night 50.

Early on, Overeem threw several hard kicks Rothwell’s way, but the latter returned fire and floored the decorated heavyweight with an overhand right. Rothwell relayed after the win that one of the kicks broke his arm, but a visit to the hospital revealed the injury wasn’t quite that serious.

Speaking via Instagram recently, Overeem posted the following about the loss:

Yesterday I was in a great shape and prep was superb! Thanks to all involved, from coaches to fysio’s! You were all great. About the fight – I made a mistake! Hearing Ben’s arm crack on one of the kicks I didn’t expect him to counterpunch with the same arm.. We knew Ben is a tough strong guy, well we got it confirmed yesterday! Now today, new day – new chances! It might not always go as we want or as planned but.. As long as we have freedom and high spirits we are/should be ok! This coming from myself who’ve had several downturns in both life and career but plenty of great moments in life to so not complaining! Big Ben was a little to much this time, Looking ahead & forward to the next challenge!

Overeem was coming off a unanimous decision win over Frank Mir heading into the bout.

Rothwell, meanwhile, stopped Brandon Vera in his previous outing and is 3-1 in his last 5 fights.