Alistair Overeem Faces Battery Charge

[keithlewis]

http://www.lvrj.com/sports/ufc-fighter- ... 82939.html

Ultimate Fighting Championship star Alistair Overeem has been charged with one count of misdemeanor battery stemming from an incident at Wynn Las Vegas over New Year's weekend.

If convicted, the heavyweight title challenger faces a maximum of six months in the Clark County Detention Center and not more than a $1,000 fine.

According to the District Attorney's office, Overeem is scheduled to appear in court at 8 a.m. on Feb. 21.

A citation issued by Las Vegas police stated at about 3 a.m. on Jan. 2, Overeem pushed or shoved a woman in the face, "causing her to stagger back."

Overeem has retained famed Las Vegas defense attorney David Chesnoff.

"Alistair was not arrested, but was summoned to court," Chesnoff said. "There are two sides to this story and we intend on vigorously defending this. Alistair maintains his innocence."

Overeem, 31, was in Las Vegas after knocking out Brock Lesnar in the first round of the main event of UFC 141 at the MGM Grand on Dec. 30.

The win, which came in the UFC debut for the former Strikeforce and Dream heavyweight champion, set up Overeem to fight champion Junior dos Santos for the UFC heavyweight belt this year on a card yet to be announced.

Representatives from the UFC declined to comment on the matter.

[broncofan]

Overeem's lawyer David Chesnoff issued the following statement:

"I have advised Alistair not to comment on this matter, and that we will do our talking in the court. It should be noted that Alistair was not arrested; he was summoned to court. There are two sides to this story, and we intend on vigorously defending this as Alistair maintains his innocence."

I love the line that she staggered back. If Overeem would have really pushed her she would be in a hospital.