You can guess why UFC 209's Alistair Overeem is rooting for Junior Dos Santos at UFC 211

UFC heavyweight Alistair Overeem got within striking distance of the title before champ Stipe Miocic knocked him out at UFC 203.

That makes Overeem’s case weak for another title shot, unless Miocic (16-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) gets knocked off by Junior Dos Santos (18-4 MMA, 12-3 UFC) at UFC 211 on May 13 at American Airlines Center in Dallas.

Overeem (41-15 MMA, 6-4 UFC) stopped ex-champ Dos Santos two years ago at UFC on FOX 17, and he expects to be a contender if he beats Mark Hunt (12-10-1 MMA, 7-4-1 UFC) in their rematch next month at UFC 209, which takes place on pay-per-view at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on March 4.

“May the best man win, but Junior’s fighting style is very compatible with Stipe, and then, of course, I’ve got to do my thing against Mark,” Overeem on Tuesday told MMAjunkie Radio. “But logically, that would be very good for my title attempts if Junior would win, because the rematch could be there. So I’m definitely rooting for Junior in this one, for a change.”

That definitely wasn’t the case a few years back, when the heavyweights were circling each other as potential opponents. More than a few times, Overeem accused Dos Santos of avoiding a fight. Of course, he was accused by others of doing the same. But the rivals finally met, and Overeem had the last word with a second-round knockout that put him on track to his title shot against Miocic.

Overeem wasn’t able to capitalize on that opportunity. But Dos Santos put himself back into contention with a win over the surging Ben Rothwell this past April. After a shoulder injury sidelined him most of this past year and a UFC Fight Night 105 headliner opposite Stefan Struve was canceled due to a Struve injury, the promotion gave him a rematch with Miocic, whom he beat at UFC on FOX 13 in December 2014 by decision.

If the Brazilian can do it again, Overeem would like another chance to do the same.

“Junior is rooting for that rematch if he wins this fight,” he said. “I can definitely see that happen. That’s something I will be gunning for.”

But first, of course, there’s Hunt, who returns to the octagon after a lengthy layoff amid a spat with the UFC. The onetime interim title challenger is suing the promotion, claiming it aided and abetted Brock Lesnar’s doping when they fought at UFC 200.

Overeem faced the “Super Samoan” in 2008 under the now-defunct DREAM banner and picked up an easy first-round submission. Hunt stumbled thrice more before mounting one of the biggest comebacks in UFC history, winning four straight in the octagon.

Dos Santos, as it turned out, was the one to stop him.

“It’s nine years later,” Overeem said. “I would hope he’s a better and different fighter. When I look at his results, he definitely made a comeback.

“He’s learned some new tricks. He’s finishing his fights. I can remember he’s a very strong guy – tremendously strong, so you don’t want to get hit by him. You’ve got to be sharp at all times. But I feel very confident going into this fight.”

For more on UFC 209 and UFC 211, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

MMAjunkie Radio broadcasts Monday-Friday at 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. PT) live from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Race & Sports Book. The show is hosted by “Gorgeous” George Garcia and producer Brian “Goze” Garcia. For more information or to download past episodes, go to www.mmajunkie.com/radio.