MMA star Alistair Overeem gets married in Croatia
- by croatiaweek
- in Entertainment
(Photo: Alistair Overeem/Instagram)
DUBROVNIK, 25 May 2025 – Mixed martial arts star Alistair Overeem has tied the knot in the Croatian city of Dubrovnik on Sunday.
The former UFC star and world champion in Dream, Strikeforce and K-1, celebrated his wedding at the iconic Lovrijenac Fortress.
The stunning clifftop venue played host to an intimate ceremony attended by close friends and family.
Overeem and his partner Sophie welcomed guests to Croatia for the special occasion with a heartfelt message shared on social media.
“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for travelling all the way to Croatia to celebrate this special weekend with us,” the couple wrote.
Celebration with Croatian Ties
Before the ceremony in Dubrovnik, guests gathered in Split, where they boarded a boat en route to the wedding venue. The best man for the occasion was Croatian strength and conditioning coach Ante Bonačić, who has been a key figure in Overeem’s career since 2008, Index writes.
Alistair and Ante (Photo: Alistair Overeem/Instagram)
A Longstanding Love for Croatia
Born in England and raised in the Netherlands, Overeem is no stranger to Croatia. Over the years, he has often visited and praised the country and its people.
“I feel very welcome here. Every time I come, there is a lot of love and support. Croatians love fighters, and I love coming here, especially in summer,” he said during an appearance on the popular Podcast Inkubator.
Overeem has often spoken highly of the Croatian coast and has become an informal ambassador for the country, particularly among fans in the United States.
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“In the summer, Croatia is one of the best places in the world and everywhere I go, I tell people. When I’m in America, I’m always talking about the Croatian coast. Split and Dubrovnik are beautiful cities,” he said. “Americans have never experienced anything like this. I always say – go to Croatia.”
