Alistair Overeem won't retire with loss at UFC 169, plans to outstrike 'intelligent' Frank Mir

When it was announced that Alistair Overeem would be facing former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) heavyweight champion Frank Mir, it was a fight "The Reem" was confident he could win.

So much so, that the former Strikeforce 265-pound champ declared that if he lost to Mir, it might be time to "start doing something else," because losing three fights in a row was something he couldn't bear.

While Overeem is still confident he can defeat Mir, the possibility of him leaving the mixed martial arts (MMA) world is now completely gone, as Alistair recently told Bleacher Report that he won't be going anywhere if he wins, loses or draws against Mir this weekend (Feb. 1, 2014) at UFC 169 in Newark, New Jersey.

His words:

"No, I'm not going to retire. Not going anywhere. I'm focused on the UFC. It's the biggest stage."

Losing, however, is the last thing on Alistair's mind, as a victory over a former champion would be a nice end to his current two-fight losing streak. A win the former K-1 kickboxing champion looks to obtain by doing the best thing he knows how, and that's strike.

He explains:

"Obviously, Frank Mir can strike, but I wouldn't say he's at my level. Everyone in the UFC is well-rounded. I just want to play my game. Whether it's the first round or the last round, just stay sharp. He'll try to submit me. Overall he has submissions, he'll try to work that, and I'll try to do what I do."

Sure, Overeem will be trying to knock Frank's block off (and vice versa), but the two talented heavyweights actually get along just fine outside the Octagon, as they recently spent some quality time together in Russia.

According to "The Reem," it was a welcome opportunity to hang out with someone he likes, something he can't say for all his foes.

"We spent some time in Russia in November. We did some appearances and interviews together. We had some dinner. We shared a cab. We hung out. I actually did like him. He seems like an intelligent guy. That doesn't go for all my opponents. Some of them I can't stand."

Like Overeem, Mir recently revealed that he won't be walking away from the fight game if he suffers his fourth straight defeat in "The Garden State."

As an added pressure reliever, UFC President Dana White revealed he wouldn't commit to cutting either struggling fighter post UFC 169.