UFC Results: Overeem beats Harris - analysis, reaction, highlights

Brendan Bradford

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UFC Results: Overeem beats Harris - analysis, reaction, highlights image

A third UFC fight card in seven days? Yes. Yes, please. 

After UFC 249 a week ago, and a rare midweek card at VyStar Veterans Arena in Jacksonville, Florida, the promotion was back on Sunday with a Fight Night card headlined by a heavyweight clash between Alistair Overeem and Walt Harris. 

There were fireworks up and down the card. Here's some of the highlights, lowlights and takeaways.  

ALISTAIR OVEREEM BEATS WALT HARRIS BY SECOND ROUND TKO

Well that's not how it was supposed to go... 

In his first fight since the tragic murder of his daughter, Walt Harris was a second or two from claiming an emotional first-round stoppage victory. But Overeem just wouldn't be knocked out. 

In a reminder that you can't script anything in one of the most unpredictable sports in the world, Overeem spoilt the storyline, winning a second round TKO. 

It's also the most 2020 fight result of the year so far...  

Harris hurt Overeem badly midway through the first round, and was just a punch or two away from forcing referee Dan Miragliatta to stop the action. 

With blood pouring down his face, Reem took advantage of a tiring Harris to gain top position on the mat and dominate the final two minutes on the ground. 

Overeem showed his experience in the end, calmly measuring his attacks, dropping Harris with a head kick and raining down ground and pound until Miragliotta was eventually forced to stop it. 


Overeem immediately comforted Harris after the stoppage, consoling him and telling the American they should train together. 


Overeem, who turned 40 just 10 minutes after the fight ended, said he's still got his eyes on a title shot by the end of the year. 

CLAUDIA GADELHA BEATS ANGELA HILL

Gadelha drew on all of her resources to score a split decision win over Angela Hill, snapping the American's four-fight winning streak. 

It's the first time in three years Gadelha has put together back-to-back victories, going back to her pair of wins over Cortney Casey and Karolina Kowalkiewicz. 

The bout was Hill's seventh in 14 months, including a win over Loma Lookboonmee in Auckland in February. 

KEVIN RANDLEMAN INDUCTED INTO UFC HALL OF FAME

A really nice surprise on an emotional day came when former heavyweight champion Kevin Randleman was inducted into the UFC's Hall of Fame. 

The announcement was accompanied by a moving tribute to the MMA pioneer, and his good friend and former mentor Mark Coleman was on hand for the news. 


EDSON BARBOZA AT FEATHERWEIGHT

Edson Barboza looked pretty good dropping down to featherweight, despite dropping a split decision to Danny Ige.

It really could've gone either way, with most fighters and experts openly saying they had no idea who won. 

Ige now has six wins on the bounce at 145 and said he's ready to take on the guys at the top of the division. 

It's a different story for Barboza, though. 

The loss is the Brazilian's third in succession, going down to Justin Gaethje and Paul Felder since his win over Dan Hooker. 

Where to now?? 

DARREN ELKINS, MAN. DARREN ELKINS. 

The guy just lost his fourth consecutive fight - three of them by way of decision, and one of them to Alex Volkanovski - but you'd be hard-pressed to find a true fight fan who wouldn't tune in the next time he steps into the cage. 

He's all action. He laughed through the blood flowing down his face. 

He's fun. 

Four Ls on the bounce is bad news for any fighter in the UFC, but you hope Elkins is able to stick around. 

WHEN IS THE NEXT UFC EVENT? 

The next UFC card is scheduled for May 30 at a venue to be determined.

The loosely planned event will be a fight night card and is reportedly set to feature former welterweight champion Tyron Woodley taking on Gilbert Burns. 

Woodley hasn't fought since losing the 175-pound belt to Kamaru Usman in March last year. Woodley had been scheduled to fight Robbie Lawler in a rematch in June last year, but was forced out with injury. He was then lined up to take on Leon Edwards, but travel restrictions to due the COVID-19 pandemic forced that fight to be cancelled. 

A venue for the card hasn't been announced yet, but UFC president Dana White has said he wants to host fights at the UFC's High Performance Institute in Las Vegas. 

White said at the post fight presser, holding the next card at the Apex is the goal, but says he'll take the card elsewhere if necessary. 

UFC FLORIDA: OVEREEM VS HARRIS RESULTS 

Alistair Overeem def. Walt Harris via Rd2 TKO
Cláudia Gadelha def. Angela Hill via split decision 
Dan Ige def. Edson Barboza via split decision 
Krzysztof Jotko def. Eryk Anders via unanimous decision
Song Yadong def. Marlon Vera via unanimous decision
Miguel Baeza def. Matt Brown via Rd2 KO 
Kevin Holland def. Anthony Hernandez via Rd1 TKO
Giga Chikadze def. Irwin Rivera via unanimous decision
Nate Landwehr def. Darren Elkins via unanimous decision
Cortney Casey def. Mara Romero Borella via Rd1 submission (armbar)
Rodrigo Nascimento def. Don’Tale Mayes via Rd1 submission (rear-naked choke) 

 

Brendan Bradford