Overeem charged with battery

The Ultimate Fighting Championship's No. 1 heavyweight contender Alistair Overeem has been charged with one count of misdemeanor battery, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

The charge stems from an incident that occurred at the Wynn Las Vegas hotel on Jan. 2, where Overeem allegedly pushed or shoved a woman in the face, "causing her to stagger back."

"Alistair was not arrested, but was summoned to court," Overeem's attorney David Chesnoff said.

"There are two sides to this story and we intend on vigorously defending this. Alistair maintains his innocence."

Overeem is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 21 and if found guilty faces a maximum of six months in jail and no more than a $1,000 fine.

The native of the Netherlands was in Las Vegas during New Year's weekend after defeating Brock Lesnar in the main event at UFC 141 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Dec. 30.

The 31-year-old former Stirkeforce heavyweight champion earned a title shot with the win and is scheduled to fight current champ Junior dos Santos sometime in mid-2012. There is no word on whether Overeem's legal troubles will interfere with the proposed bout with Dos Santos.

In 48 career mixed martial arts contests Overeem is 36-11 with one no contest.