Many fans of Dutch professional boxer Alistair Overeem are interested in his personal life, especially his religious beliefs and faith. Overeem recently made headlines when one of his pictures surfaced revealing an incredible weight cut. He was once known for his massive stature. Alistair Overeem, born Alistair Cees Overeem, is a professional MMA heavyweight fighter and kickboxer from London, England.
The Dutch matriarch is currently a heavyweight competitor in Singapore-based kickboxing company Glory. Overeem has been involved in the professional fight industry for over two decades. During his illustrious career, the boxer was the first to hold the heavyweight crowns in MMA and K-1 kickboxing. He previously held the titles Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion, K-1 World Grand Prix Champion and Dream Heavyweight Champion. Apart from his business life, many of his fans and followers are interested in his religious beliefs and faith. Learn more about it in the sections below.
Alistair Overeem Religion: Is He Muslim?
Alistair Overeem is a Muslim or a follower of Islam. According to sources, the UFC official is one of the few Muslims in the Netherlands. According to 2018 estimates, Islam is practiced by 5% of the Dutch population, making it the second most followed religion after Christianity. Overeem’s mother is from the Netherlands, for those who don’t know. The boxer grew up in the countryside with his mother and sister.
Growing up in his mother’s homeland, which had a small Muslim population, did not deter him from practicing and adhering to his religion. Furthermore, the MMA fighter often blesses his Muslim friends and followers on Muslim holidays such as Ramadan. Above all, the Dutch professional boxer avoided discussing his ideas and religion in all interviews. Regardless, his faith and strong convictions must have helped him survive or cope with adversity.
Alistair Overeem’s Ethnicity and Family Background
Alistair Overeem was born on May 17, 1980 in London, England. Despite being born in England, the former Strikeforce heavyweight champion is of Dutch descent. His Dutch mother and Jamaican father greeted the UFC official. Overeem’s maternal family is related to King William III of the Netherlands.
Alistair’s parents divorced when Alistair was six, effectively ending their marriage. The professional boxer must have been affected by his parents’ divorce. After his father’s divorce, the boxer’s mother moved to her hometown and raised him and his brother, Valentin Overeem. Furthermore, Overeem began training in martial arts as a child to protect himself from bullies. Valentijn, his older brother, trained him.
Valentijn Overeem is a former MMA fighter and kickboxer who was runner-up in the RINGS King of Kings 2000 tournament and RINGS Free Fight Dutch Heavyweight Champion. Alistair eventually decided to follow in his brother’s footsteps. He and Valentijn joined Chris Dolman’s martial arts facility to pursue a future as professional fighters. In the beginning, he was not satisfied with the sport because he repeatedly lost to more competent fighters, but after meeting with Basa Rutten and Joop Kasteel, he decided to devote himself completely to training. Despite this, Alistair Overeem has a supportive mother and an older brother. They must be proud of him.
Categories: Entertaintment
Source: HIS Education