No one was expecting Alistair Overeem and Jairzinho Rozenstruik would fight for more than a couple of rounds, much less almost five. But, just when it looked like Rozenstruik was likely going to take his first loss in MMA, he managed to put away the decorated heavyweight.
Round one
Rozenstruik buzzed the crowd before the fight by refusing to touch Overeem’s gloves. Overeem attempted an early takedown off a Rozenstruik kick attempt but was denied. Overeem changed levels again and swept Rozenstruik to the floor. Overeem started working from half guard and landed a couple of elbows. Rozenstruik attempted to scramble out but was unable to. Overeem moved into side mount and scored with some more elbows.
Round two
Overeem clinched up not long into round two and some boos started to ring out. Overeem tried tripping Rozenstruik to the floor but the latter defended. Eventually the ref broke the clinch and moments later, Overeem fired a head kick that missed. Rozenstruik winged a big right hook that Overeem partially blocked. Not long after, Overeem planted a hard left that Rozenstruik ate. Wow. Rozenstruik came with a combo before the round ended and Overeem responded with a hard kick to the body.
Round three
Rozenstruik planted a nice front kick to the body early into round three and Overeem shot in not long after. Rozenstruik defended, however, and broke free. The heavyweights traded a few punches and kicks. Overeem planted another hard left and then shot in, but Rozenstruik squashed it. From the clinch, Overeem scored with a beautiful sweep and started working from half guard. Before the rounded ended, Overeem punished Rozenstruik with some hard punches from above.
Round four
Overeem scored with his left again moments into round four. But, after Overeem missed with a level change, Rozenstruik charged in with a big flurry. The action slowed and Overeem threatened with a huge left. Then, late in the frame, Rozenstruik charged in with a flying knee that missed. “Reem” missed with another winging hook and as the round wound down, more boos rang out. Rozenstruik came with another flurry before the horn went.
Round five
Rozenstruik threatened with some hard shots early into the frame. Overeem shot in – without setting up with strikes – and Rozenstruik defended. Overeem fired another left hook and then clinched up. More boos started to make the rounds a couple of minutes in. Overeem tried taking the fight down by dropping to his back but Rozenstruik scrambled out. Rozenstruik pressed forward more often as the round wound down and scored with some shots. The kickboxer fired another flying knee that Overeem blocked. Overeem changed levels again but Rozenstruik squashed the takedown once more. With seconds left, Rozenstruik floored Overeem with a vicious one-two. The ref didn’t stop the fight immediately, but as Overeem stumbled back up, the fight was stopped. Overeem’s lip was split wide open by the punches. Wow. What a comeback win for Rozenstruik.
Here are the complete results for UFC DC.
Jairzinho Rozenstruik def. Alistair Overeem via KO (punches) 4:56
Marina Rodriguez vs. Cynthia Calvillo declared a majority draw (29-28, 28-28, 28-28)
Ben Rothwell def. Stefan Struve via TKO (punches) R2, 4:57
Aspen Ladd def. Yana Kunitskaya via TKO (punches) R3, 0:33
Cody Stamann vs. Song Yadong declared a majority draw (29-27, 28-28, 28-28)
Rob Font def. Ricky Simon via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Tim Means def. Thiago Alves via submission (guillotine choke) R1, 2:38
Billy Quarantillo def. Jacob Kilburn via submission (triangle-choke) R2, 3:18
Bryce Mitchell def. Matt Sayles via submission (twister) R1, 4:20
Joe Solecki def. Matt Wiman via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)
Virna Jandiroba def. Mallory Martin via submission (rear-naked-choke) R2 1:16
Makhmud Muradov def. Trevor Smith via KO (punch) R3, 4:09
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