Alistair Overeem had much to prove on Saturday night.
The former Strikeforce and Dream champion was facing another heavy-handed veteran heavyweight in Roy Nelson at UFC 185, with both in need of a statement win.
Having flailed into knockout losses in three of his past five fights, Overeem looked like a fighter renewed in Dallas. “The Reem” was patient, picked his spots, respected Nelson’s power, and got out of a couple of serious predicaments en route to a unanimous decision victory.
The judges’ scores were 30-27 across the board as Overeem won for the third time in four fights and stayed relevant in the heavyweight division.
“I’m not done yet,” said Overeem (29-14, 1 NC). “I’m 34 years old and I’m coming for that belt. Cain or Werdum, I’m coming for you bros.”
Overeem set the tone early, as he waited for his opportunities, then landed heavy strikes. These included big running knees and a series of kicks which left Nelson’s left side bright red before the first round was out.
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Nelson, of course, is known for his brutal knockout power. He demonstrated his heavy hands with a big right in the second round which nearly knocked out Overeem’s mouthpiece, and a left hand late which scored a knockdown.
But Nelson, who turns 39 in a few months, didn’t have the energy to follow up, and Overeem was always able to scamper to safety.
“I know Roy was a dangerous opponent, very dangerous with knockout power in every punch,” Overeem said. “And that’s why I had to finish this fight a little different. He is very dangerous and this is why I had to be on my toes every second of every round.”
Nelson (20-11) has dropped two straight and four of his past five.