Thanks to a devastating finish at UFC Fight Night 149 Saturday in Russia, former contender Alistair Overeem has likely placed himself back on the short-list of heavyweight title challengers.
Overeem landed with a knee that dropped Alexei Oleinik in the first round from Saint Petersburg before securing another finish on the ground. He has now gone 4-2 over his last six fights with three of those wins being finishes.
The event marked just the second time the UFC has set up shop in Russia, joining the debut card last year.
Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan were named “Fight of the Night” and given $50,000 in bonus money each. Makhachev scored a decision victory in the co-main event.
“Performance of the Night” bonuses were given to Magomed Mustafaev and Sergei Pavlovich. Mustafaev earned a first round TKO and Pavlovich scored an opening round knockout.
Complete results from UFC Fight Night 149: Overeem vs. Oleinik are below:
Alistair Overeem def. Alexei Oleinik via TKO (strikes) at 4:45 of Round 1
Islam Makhachev def. Arman Tsarukyan via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Sergei Pavlovich def. Marcelo Golm via KO (strike) at 1:06 of Round 1
Roxanne Modafferi def. Antonina Shevchenko via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Krzysztof Jotko def. Alen Amedovski via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-26, 30-26)
Movsar Evloev def. Seung Woo Choi via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-26)
Sultan Aliev def. Keita Nakamura via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Alexander Yakovlev def. Alex da Silva Coelho via submission (modified guillotine choke) at 3:10 of Round 2
Shamil Abdurakhimov def. Marcin Tybura via TKO (strikes) at 3:10 of Round 2
Michal Oleksiijczuk def. Gadzhimurad Antigulov via KO (strike) at :44 of Round 1
Magomed Mustafaev def. Rafael Fiziev via TKO (strikes) at 1:26 of Round 1