UFC Vegas 9 Results: Overeem Uses Guile To Outfox Sakai
UFC Vegas 9 concluded with Alistair Overeem reaching deep inside his tool kit to upset Augusto Sakai.
On a night Overeem appeared lethargic standing, the 40-year-old former Strikeforce heavyweight champ gained winning momentum with late takedowns. Call it veteran awareness after 65 paid walks. However, the first twelve minutes of Saturday’s main event saw Augusto Sakai appear much quicker than the usually crisp Dutch kickboxer. Overall, Sakai outlanded ‘Demolition Man’ 120-106. The younger fighter paralyzed Overeem behind multiple highlight flurries before grappling wares came into play. Midway through their scheduled 25 minutes, Overeem bullied Sakai down and began unraveling his charge via hammerfists and elbows.
An expert gameplan culminated at 0:27 of round five as Alistair bounced hard strikes off an unresponsive, bloodied Sakai. In total, Overeem claimed win number 47 -and TKO number 25- when an adjustment became necessary. It’s worth noting again as the main element that the former K-1 Grand Prix winner was labored and beaten in virtually every striking exchange vs. middling-athlete Sakai.
Bluntly, minus his evolved wrestling, Overeem appeared finished.Though, the beauty of mixed martial arts is the variety employed by its practitioners. Variety allowed Alistair Overeem to escape his slowest professional reflexes and footwork to grind a meat and potatoes victory.
After thrashing Walt Harris in May, Overeem owns four wins in five bouts. Conversely, Augusto Sakai's four-fight unbeaten run is abolished. Look for Overeem to gain perhaps one final crack at elite status following his latest tally.
Winner: Alistair Overeem by TKO
Co-main action saw Ovince Saint Preux tie Rashad Evans for sixth all-time on the modern era UFC light heavyweight win chart.
OSP began cautiously as the more compact, muscle bound Alonzo Menifield wore down fast during an even opening period. Using veteran instincts, 37-year-old Saint Preux began picking Menifield apart during middle frame action before an abrupt counter left hook rendered Menifield unconscious. The end came at 4:07.
While claiming another milestone, the former UT Volunteer linebacker added his 20th paid stoppage. Saint Preux has won his last two light heavyweight encounters and seeks ranked competition next. Meanwhile, the shine is off Menifield's once lofty prospect card as the Contender Series star has lost consecutive outings.
Overall, using expert pace vs. inexperienced fodder, OSP outlanded his latest assignment 33-21 while stuffing both Menifield takedown attempts.
Winner: Ovince Saint Preux by TKO
Fight three pitted swaggeringMichel Pereira in a lopsided submission win over Zelim Imadaev.
If Pereira's one-sided kickboxing strikes and thudding right hands didn't adequately illustrate his competitive class against IImadaev, his incessant posturing did. With histrionics to match prime Anderson Silva, the hulking welterweight likely ended Imadaev's UFC run by outstriking the latter 88-24 before landing a late final round tap for good measure.
For all his off-putting lack of sportsmanship, Pereira gave a masterful effort to even his Zuffa mark at 2-2. Meanwhile, as stated, glorified sparring partner Zelim Imadaev is on the chopping block following his third straight UFC loss.
Winner:Michel Pereira by submission
Fight four brough a mild upset as BJJ ace Andre Muniz seamlessly transitioned into an opening round, fight-ending arm bar vs. Bartosz Fabinski. The favored side dropped his third submission loss after upending Darren Stewart in March. Muniz earned a sixth-consecutive win, and 13th sub while moving up the company ladder.
Winner: Andre Muniz by submission
The fifth bout of an eleventh-hour restructured show saw rogue journeyman Brain Kelleher net the fourth quickest tap in UFC featherweight history. Taken down by Octagon newcomer Ray Rodriguez, 'Boom' jumped a perfect guillotine and squeezed victory at 0:39 of round one.
With three 2020 victories, Brian Kelleher now stands 6-4 vs. Zuffa fare. The 34-year-old MMA ronin added a tenth submission to hijack Rodriguez' debut UFC Vegas 9 plans.
Winner: Brian Kelleher by submission
In other UFC Vegas 9 action:
- Viviane Arujo def Montana De La Rosa by decision
- Hunter Azure def Cole Smith by decision
