Alistair Overeem

Pride Fighting Championships: Still 24, Alistair? Alistair Overeem: Yes.

Pride:	And 205 lbs for the fight?
Overeem:	Yeah.
Pride:	Competed in wrestling and kickboxing since you were 16?
Overeem:	15.
Pride:	Are you going to compete in the Abu Dhabi in May?
Overeem:	Don't think so.
Pride:	But you did win the qualifying tournament, all by guillotine choke, right?
Overeem:	Yes.
Pride:	You're 15-2 in the last 5 years. You still want to fight Ryan Gracie?
Overeem:	Yeah, nothing's changed. (laughing)
Pride:	Well, sometimes people change around here. You're the UFC gatekeeper in PRIDE. What do you think about fighting against Belfort in his return to Japan?
Overeem:	I'm really looking forward to it. He used to be my role model
Pride:	He speaks very highly of you, too. He called you a "nice kid." (laughing) I'm just kidding. He said you are very well rounded and up-and-coming. I was just joking. He was very respectful. So, he used to be your role model in MMA?
Overeem:	Yeah, in the beginning. He was really spectacular.
Pride:	What kind of fight do you think you will have?
Overeem:	I think he's a defensive fighter so I'm going to make sure it won't be a boring fight.
Pride:	What's your prediction for this fight? None of your past ones have worked out?
Overeem:	KO or submission in the first round. (laughing)
Pride:	A lot of people thought you and Nogueira had the best fight in Fists of Fire. What did you think of the fight overall?
Overeem:	I know I did my damn best. I learned quite a few things out of that fight?
Pride:	Like what?
Overeem:	Like, not getting ill is a good thing. Making sure you don't get ill.
Pride:	How do you stop that? Do you wash your hands more regularly now? (laughing) No, seriously, what did you take out of the fight, in terms of training?
Overeem:	Facing a black belt was a nice challenge for me.
Pride:	That's a victory in itself. You said that you were upset afterward. Your face had a little scratch but Nogueira's face was messed up. You nailed him with some good shots. Obviously, he can take some shots.
Overeem:	He's a tough guy. I respect Nogueira.
Pride:	Both of them are tough.
Overeem:	Yeah, they don't give up.
Pride:	How have you improved your training? Train smarter, not harder?
Overeem:	Actually both. Train harder and train smarter.
Pride:	Obviously, you're happy to be in the tournament. Belfort said you're an up-and-comer. Do you think you already get respect from fighters or are you still working for it?
Overeem:	Fighters respect me, but I'm still not satisfied with myself.