Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Overeem Suffers Hand Injury, Summer Return Possible

News of a heavyweight match-up between Andrei Arlovski and Brett Rogers arrived at Tuesday's press conference for Strikeforce: Shields vs. Lawler in St. Louis, quashing reports that Rogers would face heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem on the event's main card.

Strikeforce Director of Public Relations Mike Afromowitz told MMAWeekly.com that the bout had been close to finalized, but a hand injury to Overeem scuttled its possibility.

Afromowitz says the Dutch heavyweight will likely return this summer, likely in August. The promotion is taking a much-needed break in July.

Overeem fought last November in his home country, taking out Gary Goodridge by submission.