Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem's next title defense is currently uncertain, but his next opponent isn't.
MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) has learned from sources close to the promotion that Overeem (33-11 MMA, 3-0 DREAM) has verbally agreed to face former UFC champion Ricco Rodriguez (42-11 MMA, 0-0 DREAM) at DREAM.15.
Bout agreements are expected to be finalized shortly, and a formal announcement for the heavyweight contest should come soon after.
Featuring a lightweight title fight between current champion Shinya Aoki and Japanese superstar Tatsuya Kawajiri, DREAM.15 takes place July 10 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. The card airs live in North America on HDNet.
Rodriguez is the second U.S.-based fighter and MMAagents client to be added to the DREAM.15 card after UFC veteran Jake O'Brien was secured earlier this week for a light heavyweight matchup with Gegard Mousasi.
Overeem is a four-time DREAM veteran. The Strikeforce champ owns stoppage wins over James Thompson, Mark Hunt and Lee Tae-Hyun under the DREAM banner, while a September 2008 fight with Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic ended in a no contest after "The Demolition Man" landed several accidental knee strikes to his opponent's groin.
Overeem had been expected to fight Fedor Emelianenko under the Strikeforce banner, though the Russian's recent loss to Brazilian Fabricio Werdum complicated the organization's heavyweight title picture, and the Dutch striker's next move in the organization is still unclear.
Meanwhile, Rodriguez is a name that may be unfamiliar to new UFC fans but certainly holds a place in MMA history. A seven-time UFC veteran, Rodrigurez claimed the organization's heavyweight title with a 2002 win over Randy Couture, though he would surrender the belt in his first defense to a then-undefeated Tim Sylvia.
Rodriguez battled through substance abuse and weight issues in the years following his abbreviated UFC title run. Nevertheless, the 32-year-old is currently on a seven-fight win streak, and he's won 13 of his past 15 contests.
Rodriguez had been linked to a July 18 bout with Jeff Monson under the Australian-based Impact FC banner, but MMAjunkie.com has learned that the former UFC champ will likely not participate in the event in order to fight Overeem.
For the latest on DREAM.15, check out the MMA Rumors section of MMAjunkie.com.