Antonio Silva would gladly accept a fight with former Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem. Currently, Overeem is suspended until December, but he has talked in recent months about being willing to accept a non-title fight if he needs to in order to get back inside the Octagon.

Silva (17-4) recently earned his first UFC victory, stopping Travis Browne. Overeem (36-11) is 1-0 inside the Octagon, having defeated Brock Lesnar.

"If Overeem really doesn't want to have to wait for a fight after his suspension is up, I am here ready to welcome him," said Silva, in an interview with MMAjunkie.com. "I respect him as an athlete. Overeem is big and strong, but I know I can beat him; even if (he) was created in the lab, I can beat him."

Overeem was suspended following a failed drug test prior to a scheduled meeting with UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos. Now, dos Santos is set to face Cain Velasquez just days after Overeem's suspension ends in December.

Silva and Overeem were on target to collide in the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix, but Overeem pulled out after issues with his contract. His replacement, Daniel Cormier, went on to defeat Silva and win the event.

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