Alistair Overeem reminded MMA fans why he’s perennially among the heavyweight division’s elites at UFC Beijing, giving Sergey Pavlovich a rude welcome to the promotion.
Veteran heavyweight and former Strikeforce champion Alistair Overeem returned to action at UFC Beijing, tasked with welcoming Russia’s Sergey Pavlovich to the UFC. Pavlovich held heavyweight gold in Fight Nights Global, and while an unknown to many western MMA fans, he was certainly a threat to Overeem, who had lost two straight heading into the fight. The heavyweight tilt served as the co-main event in Beijing, taking place at the Cadillac Arena.
'The Demolition Man'@AlistairOvereem #UFCBeijing pic.twitter.com/kpMZ0YGRkV
— UFC (@ufc) November 24, 2018
Overeem was ducking down, looking for an opening early as the pair worked to find a way in on each other. Pavlovich landed a right, then backed Overeem up with further punches. Overeem moved in to close the distance, and pressed Pavlovich into the cage only the be reversed. They’d battle in the clinch some more, with Pavlovich thinking takedown, but instead they’d break, moving back to center. A right hand by ‘The Reem’ allowed him to push Pavlovich to the ground. Overeem moved into guard, and soon had an opening to pound away at his opponent. Some heavy blows saw the Russian cover up and roll to the side, forcing the ref to wave it off! While not a classic ‘Demolition Man’ fight, it was a good enough performance to snap his losing streak. And show that he remains among the division’s elites.
Alistair Overeem def. Sergey Pavlovich by TKO, Round 1, 4:21
