UFC On ESPN Results: Alistair Overeem Tops Emotional Walt Harris

Dan Ige Vs. Edson Barboza

A winner of his last five fights in a row, Dan Ige welcomes Edson Barboza to the featherweight division.

Ige picked up a decision over Mirsad Bektic this past February at UFC 247 to improve to 13-2 overall and 5-1 with the UFC. Barboza, who competed at lightweight, has lost two in a row and is 20-8. 

Of course, Barboza’s string of 1-4 in his last five has been against some of the best. He lost to current UFC champions Justin Gaethje and Khabib Nurmagomedov, along with Kevin Lee and Paul Felder, who will be calling the bout. 

Ige lands and that ignites Barboza, who drops him and gains control inside his guard. Slew of hammer-fists by Barboza before Ige breaks free and gets back to his feet.

The speed in which Barboza gets his kicks off is just ridiculous. You know they are coming, but the quickness makes them so dangerous.

First three minutes of the second have belonged to Ige before Barboza gets his offense going, starting again with his kicks. Excellent sprawl into a takedown defended by Barboza. 

Very even fight in terms of the stats, with Ige winning the striking to the head/body, while Barboza, of course, leads in leg kicks. Good knees to the midsection by Barboza force Ige to shoot for a takedown.

Ige with a big takedown and connects on the ground. The bout ends with both men in close on the ground and we head to the scorecards yet again following a great 15-minute battle.

Dan Ige def. Edson Barboza via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Claudia Gadelha Vs. Angela Hill

It’s time for the co-main event featuring former UFC strawweight title contender Claudia Gadelha and Angela Hill.

The 31-year-old Gadelha is coming off a decision over Randa Markos that moved her to 17-4 overall. She is 4-2 over her last six since a loss to then-champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk for the title in 2016.

Hill, meanwhile, will be competing for the third time in 2020 – which is pretty incredible considering the time the UFC sat on the sidelines. She has scored wins over Loma Lookboonmee and Hannah Cifers, and is on a three-fight win streak overall that has improved her record to 12-7.

This will be her seventh fight in 421 days, just a handful of days shorter than the run put together by Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone.

Lots of constant movement by both fighters in the early going. Hill catches her with a quick knee to the midsection. These two are throwing with a lot of power behind their punches. 

Gadelha works hard for a takedown and finally gets it, dragging Hill to the canvas. She’s got a minute to work and is landing with quick, rapid-fire strikes. 

Hill connects and drops Gadelha, following up with a few punches. However, she screams to get Gadelha up and they are standing and trading again. Really strong bounce-back round for Hill as we head to the third.

Really good series of exchanges between these two strawweights. Constant, in-your-face action from start to finish. 

Claudia Gadelha def. Angela Hill via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

Alistair Overeem Vs. Walt Harris

It’s the final fight of this incredible three-event, eight-day trip we’ve been with the UFC in Jacksonville as former title contender Alistair Overeem welcomes an emotional Walt Harris to the Octagon.

Overeem, who previously held the Strikeforce title and competed for UFC gold, is coming off a fifth round knockout loss to Jairzinho Rozenstruik. He had won two in a row and enters 45-18 overall.

Harris has been focusing on his family since the tragic death of his step-daughter. The 36-year-old is 13-7 and unbeaten over his last four fights with three wins.

Lots of emotion from Overeem as he embraces Harris. However, now that the first strikes have been thrown, it appears to be more of a “fight.” 

Harris connects and drops Overeem as he continues to follow up with big strikes. Overeem protecting himself but is stuck on his back again. He’s really covering up well and working for a submission. 

Huge cut over the eye of Overeem and he’s hurt again by big strikes. However, Harris gets in too high and Overeem takes him down to the canvas. Overeem has taken the back and is controlling an arm with over two minutes to go in the round. 

Both fighters taking deep breathes between rounds. Overeem catches him with a head-kick and Harris is hurt. “The Reem” is on top of him pounding with punches while securing his legs around the waist. 

Man, that head-kick was a thing of beauty by Overeem. He locks in both hooks and flattens Harris out. His coaches are right there, trying to get him to roll but he has Overeem stuck on him right now and this one is close to being stopped. 

It wasn’t vicious, but the ref has stepped in and this one is all over. Harris wasn’t getting out anytime soon.

Overeem covers up Harris and they embrace. A subdued 40th birthday celebration for Overeem in this one all things considered.

Alistair Overeem def. Walt Harris via TKO (strikes) at 3:00 of Round 2