Alistair Overeem enters politics, running for Dutch House of Representatives
Former UFC heavyweight title contender and kickboxing legend Alistair Overeem retired from combat sports earlier this year, and now throws his name into the hat to serve in Dutch politics.
The 43-year-old “Demolition Man” who is from the Netherlands, will look to win a seat in the Dutch House of Representatives in the Belang van Nederland (Interest of the Netherlands) party.
Overeem’s decision was announced by BVNL leader Wybren van Haga on X (formerly Twitter).
Vechtsportlegende Alistair Overeem ruilt de ring in voor de politieke arena. Samen met #BVNL zal hij de echte gevechten aangaan voor de toekomst van Nederland. Wij zijn trots om hem aan onze zijde te hebben! #OvereemVoorBVNLhttps://t.co/SM1cBP8nd2
— Wybren van Haga (@WybrenvanHaga) October 4, 2023
Overeem explained his decision in an interview with Panorama.
“I became frustrated by all the measures during the Corona period,” he said. “The government was talking about a health crisis. But the same government closed all gyms. No one, except Wybren van Haga, talked about health, healthier living and the madness of the freedom-restricting Corona measures.”