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Alistair Overeem and Jairzinho Rozenstruik faced each other in a Heavyweight clash tonight (Sat., Dec. 7, 2019) at UFC on ESPN 7, which took place inside Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. In a very odd moment, Rozenstruik stopped his foe in the final seconds of the bout.
Overeem opened with a stomp kick, but it was countered by a low kick. Overeem tried to catch a low kick, but he nearly ate a counter. Overeem stuck his foe with a left cross. Rozenstruik weaved a jab through the guard. Overeem ducked into a takedown and used it to secure the clinch, which led to a quick takedown into side control. Rozenstruik regained half guard. Overeem landed a hard elbow. A couple more elbows scored for the Dutchman. Rozenstruik turned his back and tried to stand, but Overeem pushed him back down into side control. More elbows from the veteran fighter landed, but Rozenstruik survived to see the second round.
Overeem immediately latched onto the clinch to start the second. Rozenstruik landed a good knee with his back pressed to the fence. Overeem attempted a trip but couldn’t get it. Good knee to the body from “The Reem.” Overeem snuck a knee to the jaw. Rozenstruik landed a good uppercut in the center, and it seemed to stun his opponent briefly. Overeem scored with a hard left overhand. Cross landed for Overeem. Rozenstruik landed a good combination along the fence. Overeem landed a nice body kick near the end of the round.
Rozenstruik landed an early uppercut in the third, but Overeem absorbed it and drove him into the fence. Rozenstruik fought his way back to the center of the cage. Overeem dinged his opponent with a left cross and follow-up right hook. Another left hand found its target for Overeem. Rozenstruik landed a left hook. Overeem ripped a body kick, took a low kick counter. Another big left overhand for Overeem landed. Overeem level-changed into a double leg takedown along the fence, and the fight moved into the clinch. Overeem threw his foe to the mat about a minute later. Overeem landed some big shots from top position before time ran out.
Overeem opened up the championship rounds with a cross-hook. An overhand glanced off the jaw moments later. Rozenstruick touched his foe with strikes but was hesitant to commit fully. Overeem continued to pressure his foe, occasionally reaching out to land jabs and crosses against his tired foe. Rozenstruik exploded into a jump knee that seemed to land somewhat, but his follow-up punches landed on Overeem’s guard. Overeem recovered well and cracked his foe with a lunging left hand. Rozenstruik finished the round with a nice flurry at the bell and a couple body shots.
Overeem stalked his foe into the fifth, continuing his kick-and-left-hand heavy strategy. A hard overhand connected about a minute in, followed by a second. Rozenstruik denied a takedown, ate a low kick. Overeem attempted a single leg, but it failed. Another low kick from Overeem. Punches from Rozenstruik glanced off the guard. The two traded jabs. Rozenstruick stung his foe with a jab. Rozenstruik landed a couple straight shots. Out of NOWHERE, a whinging overhand connected and sent Overeem to the mat.
“The Reem” popped back up, dazed, as Rozenstruik walked off. The referee nonetheless called it off in what will surely go down as a controversial call.
Result: Jairzinho Rozenstruik defeats Alistair Overeem via knockout at 4:56 of round five
For complete UFC on ESPN 7: “Overeem Vs. Rozenstruik” results and play-by-play, click HERE!