Mania’s Monday Morning Hangover: Alistair Overeem's title hopes get stepped on by 'Bigfoot' Silva

Another weekend of fisticuffs has come and gone and after a wild night of fights in Las Vegas, Nevada, there are undoubtedly more than a few people still suffering from a hangover, including mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters themselves.

No, I'm not talking about their traditional post-fight parties in which the victor celebrates a job well done 'till the break of dawn, while the loser sulks at his VIP table after a heart-wrenching loss. Though some may be suffering from a wild night out in "Sin City," I'm referring to the effects of losing a big fight.

At UFC 156, which took place at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, there may be more than a few fighters still licking their wounds. From Jay Hieron's brutal knockout loss to Tyron Woodley, Rashad Evans' second consecutive defeat inside the Octagon and Frankie Edgar's third, the night was filled with devastating losses for many combatants.

But, which fighter is still suffering from the worst hangover now two days removed?

Alistair Overeem.

The former Strikeforce, DREAM and K-1 champion was only one win away from a chance at completing his already full trophy case as a win over Antonio Silva would have earned his a title shot against current Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Heavyweight Champion, Cain Velasquez.

Unfortunately for "The Reem," he forgot to check his ego at the door and ran into the very heavy hands of the 6' 4" 264-pound "Bigfoot." Heading into the fight, Overeem was very vocal about his opponent, labeling him an easy target that he would destroy in under two rounds.

During the fight, the Dutch striker constantly held his hands to his side, a big no-no in combat sports, in attempts to engage Silva to strike. For the first two rounds, it seemed the massive Brazilian was hesitant to let his hands fly, and rightfully so. After all, Alistair is considered to be the best heavyweight striker in all of mixed martial arts (MMA), so engaging in a toe-to-toe exchange would more than likely prove disastrous for the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt.

However, in the closing moments of the second round, "Bigfoot" and Overeem exchanged strike for strike which seemed to give Silva some much needed confidence. At the beginning of the third and final round, Silva came out of the gate with bad intentions, clocking Overeem with a well-placed right hand to the ear that spelled the beginning of the end for "The Reem."

See it unfold here.

A few monstrous right hooks later and Overeem was slumped over on the canvas in defeat, looking up at behemoth towering over him, telling him, "Let's go, come fight. LET'S Go! I want to fight more!"

Not the first thing you want to see as your trying to come to your senses.

With the loss, Overeem kissed his UFC title shot goodbye and said farewell to his 11-fight win streak, as well.

To top it off, he also showed, despite his Adonis-like body and powerful punching power that sends chills up the spines of his potential opponents, he is still a mere mortal and proved that on any given Saturday night, once the cage door closes, the Octagon doesn't play favorites.

How many wins to get him back "in the mix?"