KOI sues Alistair Overeem for breach of contract

Writ of Habeas Corpses?

PRIDE, K-1, Strikeforce and now Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighter Alistair Overeem just can't seem to escape the shackles of his former representatives.

Overeem will be fighting in a handicapped match tonight (Dec. 30, 2011) at UFC 141: "Lesnar vs. Overeem." In addition to his heavyweight hoedown opposite Brock Lesnar at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, he'll also be squaring off against Knock Out Investments (KOI) and Golden Glory.

Inside a "Sin City" court room.

"Demolition Man" recently split from his Netherlands-based management team citing a "breach of trust," which in financial terms equates to allegedly being owed $151,000 in earnings, including a signing bonus he was reportedly promised when he signed with Zuffa.

Attorneys for KOI have since counter-sued both Overeem and his representative, Collin Lam. And they did it just one day before his fight against Lesnar. That's just mean!

ESPN.com has the details:

Overeem is alleged to not have paid a 30 percent commission to Knock Out Investments following his win in Strikeforce against Fabricio Werdum on June 18, 2011.

"The suit was filed for a very simple reason," Roderick J.Lindblom, legal counsel for KOI and Golden Glory, told ESPN.com. "Alistair Overeem has been part of Golden Glory for 11 years. Knockout Investment has a management contract with him. The management agreement was from 2007 until 2012. They negotiated one of the largest MMA agreements in the history of the sport for him. And within days he accused them of some pretty shady stuff that is not true. And he has walked away from his contract."

In short, KOI wants to get paid for the Werdum fight and it wants to collect its commission for helping negotiate his UFC contract.

Trouble has been brewing for some time, dating back to when Dana White had a well-publicized spat with Golden Glory that resulted in the release of all its fighters from every Zuffa-owned promotion.

Shortly thereafter, Overeem announced his split from his longtime fight camp, eventually relocating to Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas to help prepare for his upcoming Octagon debut.

"The Reem" is headed to the cage. Then, he's probably headed to court. Any fight fans out there think this distraction will hinder his focus as he prepares for Lesnar's Friday night bumrush?

Thoughts?