This is the UFC on ESPN 8 live blog for Alistair Overeem vs. Walt Harris, the heavyweight headliner for Saturday’s fight card at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla.
Overeem returns to action five months after a dominant performance turned into last-second heartbreak when Jairzinho Rozenstruik knocked him out at UFC on ESPN 7. Harris has won three of his four previous fights by knockout, but has been sidelined by a family tragedy and the coronavirus pandemic.
Check out the UFC XXX live blog below.
Round 1: Dan Miragliotta is the third man in the cage for the main event. The two heavyweights have a bit of a feeling out process to start with Harris in the center of the cage. Harris cracks Overeem with a right hand and Overeem is in dire straits!! Harris is standing over Overeem and raining shots and Harris is taking a close look. Overeem is able to survive but his down again and Harris trying to finish this! Overeem trips Harris and gets back to his feet but he’s busted open andn still hurt. Harris charges forward but slips and now Overeem gets him down and Overeem is on top! What a reversal of fortune! Overeem is now tying Harris up and laying into Harris with shots. Harris is now breathing HEAVY with Overeem draped on him and raining left hands while tying up Harris’ hands. Harris is against the fence and trying to stand but Overeem lands a monster knee to the body! and another as Harris stands at the horn. Honestly, no clue how to actually score that.
MMAFighting scores the round 10-9 Harris.
Round 2: Overeem still looking a little wild-eyed to start the second but Harris looks noticeably slower. Output is definitely slowed now. Both men seem to be aware of the potential repercussions now. Harriis is feinting a lot and Overeem is trying to find something he likes. Overem lands a huge head kick and a left hand that drops Harris! Harris is inn a world of hurt now and Overeem is on his back and landing shots with Harris trying to survive. Overeem now has both hooks in and has flattened Harris out against the cage. This is all but over and Overeem is taking his time, peppering shots and occasionally looking for a rear-naked choke. Harris cannot do anything though and Miragliotta steps in to save Harris.
OFFICIAL DECISION: Alistair Overeem defeats Walt Harris by TKO at 3:00 of Round 2.