UFC Fight Night ‘Overeem vs. Arlovski’ Results: Play-by-Play & Updates

Willie Gates vs. Yuta Sasaki

Round 1

Gates comes out southpaw against the lefty Sasaki but quickly switches to orthodox, and “Ulka” takes the opening to flick a left high kick at the American’s head. Sasaki shoots in soon after and drives Gates to the canvas near the center. Gates rolls to his knees, giving up his back and allowing Sasaki to jump on as they stand. Sasaki slips off but stays glued to Gates as they grapple on the fence, trying to jump back on and establish hooks. With two minutes left in the round, Sasaki pulls Gates back to the floor. This time, Gates is back on his feet quickly, holding Sasaki against the wall. Sasaki drops levels to try another takedown, fails and gets clipped with an uppercut on his way back up. Gates follows with a jump knee that sends Sasaki wheeling away, and the flyweights spend the last 30 seconds jabbing from distance.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Sasaki
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Sasaki
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Sasaki

Round 2

Sasaki spends the first minute of the round holding Gates against the fence, digging for a takedown which never materializes. Gates spins him around and delivers a couple elbows to the side of the Japanese fighter’s head. Sasaki reverses again and now completes the takedown, about two minutes into the round. Gates gives up his back and absorbs a few left hands to the face before Sasaki tries to slap on a rear-naked choke. Gates tucks his chin and peels away Sasaki’s hands, drawing a warning from referee Rich Mitchell for grabbing inside the gloves of “Ulka.” Sasaki keeps digging for the rear-naked choke but can’t get underneath Gates’ jaw. Finally, Sasaki cranks the choke and forces Gates to submit.

The Official Result

Yuta Sasaki def. Willie Gates via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R2 3:30

Leon Edwards vs. Dominic Waters

Round 1

Waters shoots on Edwards about 30 seconds into the fight, wrapping up the Englishman around the waist and hustling him to the ground. Edwards posts and stands almost immediately, then catches Waters off balance to execute a takedown of his own. Waters tries to stand and drive forward to reverse the position again, but Edwards sprawls out and catches the American in a front headlock. Waters winds up on his back and is soon mounted by Edwards, who has just under two minutes to work from the dominant position. Edwards struggles to create space as Waters wraps him up from underneath. After chipping away with short strikes, Edwards looks for a kimura; he can’t secure the submission, but “Rocky” does finish the round in full mount.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Edwards
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Edwards
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Edwards

Round 2

Waters tries to close the gap and shoot for a takedown straight away, but he eats a knee from Edwards on his way inside and gets taken down by the Englishman instead. Edwards shoves Waters up against the base of the fence and continues to pepper with short strikes from half guard, but it’s not enough for referee Lukasz Bosacki, who orders the welterweights back to their feet in a hurry. Waters eats a stiff jab, slips to the ground and looks to drive forward on Edwards’ legs. Edwards backs up to the fence and keeps his footing, so Waters pulls him away and turns to take his back. Waters lifts and slams Edwards to the ground harshly, and the American is able to ride out the last 30 seconds of the round on top.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Edwards
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Edwards
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Edwards

Round 3

Neither man is in a hurry to engage as the final round begins. After a minute of circling and pawing, Waters barges inside, wraps up Edwards by the waist and trips him to the mat. Waters isn’t able to do much with the position before Edwards slices a knee inside and creates the space to stand up. Back on their feet with three minutes remaining, Edwards controls the center of the cage while Waters circles clockwise around the outside. Edwards flashes a front kick up the center and stuffs a takedown attempt from Waters, who looks to be fading here, holding his hands very low. He may be baiting Edwards to strike, as Waters ducks underneath a punch from the Brit and grasps for another takedown. Edwards stays vertical, widening his base against the fence and underhooking Waters’ arms. Edwards sprawls long on the next single-leg attempt, then hits the kneeling Waters with short body punches and elbows from the sprawl until the final bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Edwards (30-27 Edwards)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Edwards (30-27 Edwards)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Edwards (30-27 Edwards)

The Official Result

Leon Edwards def. Dominic Waters via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Neil Seery

Round 1

Horiguchi flashes a body kick at the onset and then tags Seery with a hard right hand. The next punch from Horiguchi sends Seery slumping to the mat, but the Irishman recovers quickly and tangles up as Horiguchi pounces. One minute into the round, Seery works back to his feet, but 10 seconds later, Horiguchi has dumped him to the canvas again. Horiguchi stands and stacks up Seery to escape an armbar attempt, but he allows “2 Tap” to climb back to his feet again in the process. Horiguchi lands another cracking right hand on the incoming Seery, then plunges a straight left down the center and puts Seery on his seat again. Seery is getting lit up on the feet and may be dropping to guard intentionally, as he’s quickly able to stand when Horiguchi gives him the space. Inside the two-minute mark, Horiguchi lands a takedown and passes to side control on Seery’s right, looking for full mount or a mounted crucifix. Seery squirms underneath and escapes to his feet once more, only to be met with more Horiguchi punches and a hard kick to the gut.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi

Round 2

Horiguchi closes the distance in a hurry, swinging heavy punches in Seery’s direction before wrapping up the veteran on the fence. He trips Seery to the ground but can’t do much with the position before abandoning it, and now the flyweights return to striking. Seery ties up and tries a head-and-arm throw, but he’s stuffed by Horiguchi and has to defend a takedown from the rear waistlock position. The fighters are back to swinging punches once again as they hit the midway point of the round and the fight. Horiguchi scores with a few hard kicks to the inside of southpaw Seery’s lead leg. Now it’s a kick to the body from Horiguchi, a right hand on the ribs and a two-piece combo to Seery’s face. Seery is hanging tough but it’s Horiguchi’s speed and power winning the day so far. Inside 30 seconds, Horiguchi changes levels and plows Seery to the ground near the fence, and that’s where the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi

Round 3

Horiguchi sticks to the outside for the first minute and then comes in to clinch with Seery on the fence. A takedown goes for the Krazy Bee fighter, but again Seery is able to maneuever his way back to his feet. Seery may have done better to stay on the mat, as Horiguchi begins scoring with hard right hands to the body and head once the striking exchanges resume. At the halfway mark, Seery shoots for Horiguchi’s legs at the fence, but Horiguchi turns him around. It’s a late takedown for Horiguchi with under 90 seconds left to fight. Seery works his way back up the fence and takes a couple knees to the gut before he’s able to circle away. Seery tries to barge inside for a clinch or trip takedown, but he’s reversed and placed on his back by Horiguchi one final time.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi (30-27 Horiguchi)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi (30-27 Horiguchi)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi (30-27 Horiguchi)

The Official Result

Kyoji Horiguchi def. Neil Seery via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Yan Cabral vs. Reza Madadi

Round 1

Madadi comes shooting for an early double-leg takedown but only manages to corral Cabral against the cage for a few seconds. Cabral gets separation and swings a few heavy punches in Madadi’s direction, but they come up short. Back inside comes Madadi, looking for the clinch on the fence. He gets it, but Cabral makes “Mad Dog” pay for the position with some sharp knees to the gut. Cabral tries to underhook and throw Madadi to the ground but is denied, and now Madadi backs off the clinch. The lightweights fight across the cage to clinch on the other side, where Cabral drops down and completes a single-leg takedown, the first of the fight with one minute left in the opening round. Cabral passes to full mount, then back-mount when Madadi rolls to his stomach. Madadi buries his chin and Cabral tries to soften him up with punches, looking for an opening for the rear-naked choke. Madadi escapes out the back door, however, and finishes the round on his feet.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Cabral
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Cabral
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Cabral

Round 2

Madadi swings hands as he walks forward on Cabral, landing a few shots which send the Brazilian shooting for a takedown. Cabral takes his man to the ground with ease but loses the position as he angles for a takedown on the floor. Madadi scrambles up and holds Cabral against the wall, where the slow inside fighting causes referee Leon Roberts to call for action. The lightweights oblige by separating and moving back to the middle of the cage. Madadi wants to clinch again and succeeds in forcing Cabral back to the outside. The longer Cabral is able to score with knees in the clinch, however, and soon the fighters split again. Madadi eats a couple good punches as he navigates through the longer Cabral’s range and drives him to the ground with 40 seconds remaining. Cabral is back on his feet 15 seconds later; he hits Madadi with a knee to the body and a right hand as they clinch on the fence once more.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Madadi
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Madadi
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Madadi

Round 3

Madadi slugs over the top with a hard right hand but his momentum is slowed as Cabral pins him against the fence with a double-leg attempt. Madadi separates, lands another right but soon has to defend against another Cabral shot. The lightweights break apart again and move back to the center. Madadi sticks a jab, then catches Cabral leaning in and blasts him with a huge uppercut. Cabral stumbles backward, out on his feet, his hand looping over the top of the fence for stability. Madadi cracks him with a pair of follow-up punches, and that’s all referee Roberts needs to see for the stoppage.

The Official Result

Reza Madadi def. Yan Cabral via TKO (Punches) R3 1:56

Josh Emmett vs. Jon Tuck

Round 1

Tuck walks down Emmett and cracks with a pair of right hands before the Team Alpha Male product circles out to the other side of the cage. Emmett counters the next shot over the top with a right hook counter to Tuck’s chin. Emmett fires off kicks to Tuck’s legs and body; “Super Saiyan” gives the newcomer a kick to the ribs in return. Tuck eats another right hand and gets his gloves up to block a left high kick. Emmett slips throwing his next high kick and has to rush back to his feet as Tuck tries to pounce. Emmett continues to sting Tuck with hard shots to the body and head as they fight down the stretch. He shoots on Tuck’s legs, looking for a last-second takedown, but it doesn’t materialize before the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Emmett
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Emmett
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Emmett

Round 2

Emmett is on his back foot as the second round begins, countering Tuck’s pressure with counter hooks to the body and a big left hand over the top. Tuck is freezing up a bit, perhaps wary of the speedier, smaller man’s offense, and the result is a relatively slow couple of minutes. Tuck digs a hook to the body of Emmett, who just misses with another whipping left high kick. Emmett switches stances in front of Tuck and throws up his hands, calling for his opponent to engage. Tuck still seems hesitant, and now Emmett’s offense drops off a bit, too. Emmett gets the last word of the round with a nice left hand over the top, smacking the face of the taller man.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Emmett
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Emmett
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Emmett

Round 3

Emmett stands in front of Tuck in the opening minute, bobbing and weaving, looking to counter and constantly shifting his head off center. Emmett digs a hook into Tuck’s body and waits for the “Saiyan” to throw, but Tuck continues to lay off. Tuck bops Emmett’s already bloodied nose with a few jabs. Despite the damage on Emmett’s face, however, it’s undoubtedly Tuck who has taken the worse damage so far. Two minutes remain in the final round and Tuck continues to press forward on Emmett, albeit with little urgency. Emmett has ceased throwing his left hand, which may be injured as he holds it open and continually moves away from Tuck’s pressure. Emmett gets a kick to the cup but doesn’t need long to recover from the inadvertant foul. Tuck finally comes alive with 30 seconds on the clock, marching on Emmett with hard kicks to the body, now one to the head. Emmett tries to tie up and slow the assault on the fence, and he’ll survive to hear the final horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Tuck (29-28 Emmett)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Tuck (29-28 Emmett)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Tuck (29-28 Emmett)

The Official Result

Josh Emmett def. Jon Tuck via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29) R3 5:00

Magnus Cedenblad vs. Garreth McLellan

Round 1

The southpaw McLellan sticks to the outside and kicks at the legs of the taller Cedenblad in the opening minute. Cedenblad gives the South African a kick to the body but can’t follow up with anything significant, as the slow going continues into the middle of the frame. Suddenly, Cedenblad lands a lovely right straight counter to a McLellan leg kick, knocking “Soldier Boy” to the ground momentarily. McLellan pops back up and charges forward with a left hand, but he catches a finger to his right eye from Cedenblad’s outstretched hand. When action resumes, Cedenblad connects with a thumping kick to the body of McLellan, who is looking a bit more tentative now as he circles the edge of the cage. Cedenblad counters another leg kick with a right hand, though there’s not as much pop behind this one. The middleweights trade kicks and probe with punches down the stretch, and the round draws to an uneventful close.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Cedenblad
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Cedenblad
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Cedenblad

Round 2

Cedenblad backs McLellan toward the fence and stuns him with a right high kick that goes straight through the South African’s raised left glove. Cedenblad sees his opponent frozen up, pulls his head down and delivers five or six quick uppercuts. McLellan is clearly hurt and not in a position to defend himself, so referee Lukasz Bosacki steps between the fighters and calls a halt to the contest.

The Official Result

Magnus Cedenblad def. Garreth McLellan via TKO (Head Kick and Punches) R2 0:47

Rustam Khabilov vs. Chris Wade

Round 1

Wade looks to press forward early but gets cut off by some sharp leg kicks from Khabilov, who swings and misses with a hard right hand. Khabilov gets a clinch and pulls Wade to the mat, but the American bounces back to his feet as if spring-loaded. Now it’s Wade giving Khabilov a few kicks to the lead leg, a left hand over the top. Khabilov changes levels to shoot for a takedown and gets stuffed by a well-timed front kick. The lightweights wind up in over-unders on the fence, now with Khabilov spinning to take Wade’s back with a standing rear waistlock. They tumble to the ground, Wade on his knees and Khabilov in riding position behind. Wade tries to scramble up but is held on his knees by Khabilov, who socks the side of the American’s head with short, hard punches. Referee Leon Roberts tells Wade to improve his position; Wade doesn’t really, but Khabilov’s offense drops off in the closing seconds, and Wade will survive to see the second frame.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Khabilov
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Khabilov
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Khabilov

Round 2

Khabilov lands a few kicks on Wade’s lead leg before the American leaps into the air and slaps the face of “Tiger” with a flying switch kick. Khabilov drops to his back but appears to recover quickly, as he sweeps Wade underneath almost as soon as he hits the ground. Khabilov takes the back of Wade, who slips out the back door and straight into a triangle attempt. Khabilov can’t cinch the choke but keeps Wade in danger as they hit the midway point of the round. Finally, Khabilov drops his legs and holds Wade in closed guard, wrapping his arms around Wade’s upper body to prevent any offensive attacks. Khabilov flashes an armbar but can’t get the angle and reverts back to guard. He kicks Wade away and scrambles back to his feet, where the Russian socks Wade with a left hook, a leaping knee. Khabilov drives Wade to the ground with a double-leg, now with 30 seconds left on the clock. Khabilov tries to grind on Wade’s face with elbows but is stifled as the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Wade
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Khabilov
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-10

Round 3

Neither man gains an advantage on the feet in the opening minute of the final round. Khabilov changes the complexion of the frame with a powerful takedown that plants Wade on the floor near the foot of the fence. Straight to the back goes Khabilov, trying to soften up Wade for a rear-naked choke. Wade punches blindly over his shoulder and manages to peel away one of Khabilov’s hooks, but he’s still on his knees with Khabilov in good position to strike. Khabilov is mashing away with hammerfists to both sides of Wade’s head as he continues to control the American on the mat. Wade nearly gets back to his feet, but Khabilov keeps the rear waistlock and easily drags him back down. Wade finishes the round kneeling near the fence, with Khabilov wrapping him up from behind, socking away with right hands.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-8 Khabilov (29-27 Khabilov)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-8 Khabilov (30-26 Khabilov)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-8 Khabilov (30-27 Khabilov)

The Official Result

Rustam Khabilov def. Chris Wade via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Heather Clark vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz

Round 1

Clark sticks a right hand down the center, takes a leg kick in return and lands the right again. Kowalkiewicz wants to tie up but is having trouble keeping hold of the American, who looks to have the strength advantage here in the opening round. The strawweights tie up on the fence, Clark taking the outside position, but Kowalkiewicz exits with a slashing elbow. Clark comes back on a single-leg, driving the unbeaten Pole’s back against the fence again. Kowalkiewicz punches her way out and tries to rush Clark with a four-punch combo, but they all appear to miss. Kowalkiewicz catches Clark throwing a lazy right hand, whips around the drives a spinning kick into the American’s midsection. Clark gets out of danger by muscling Kowalkiewicz against the fence until the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Clark
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Clark
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Clark

Round 2

Clark fights for a takedown and nearly succeed, but Kowalkiewicz is back on her feet almost as soon as her knees touch the canvas. Kowalkiewicz is looking to spin around on Clark, telegraphing it a bit, and the strike never materializes. The Polish prospect is starting to score with greater frequency on her punches, marking up Clark’s face. Clark wants to clinch and runs Kowalkiewicz against the fence with underhooks. Kowalkiewicz counters by pulling down Clark’s head in the Thai clinch and delivering a pair of knees, but Clark breaks out and manages to keep Kowalkiewicz corralled on the cage. Kowalkiewicz decks her foe with a short elbow in the pocket, sending Clark backward across the cage. Kowalkiewicz catches up and gives Clark a knee to the body, a side kick to the midsection and a jab to the face. Kowalkiewicz hits a foot sweep and climbs on Clark’s back as she tries to stand, then transitions to an armbar. Clark stays out of trouble by stacking up Kowalkiewicz at the base of the fence until time runs out.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Kowalkiewicz
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Kowalkiewicz
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Kowalkiewicz

Round 3

Kowalkiewicz sends a one-two over the top as Clark tries to keep her at bay with kicks. The tide looks to have turned in Kowalkiewicz’s favor, as Clark is wearing damage from the Pole’s punches and playing a little more defensively here. Clark comes in to clinch, pushes Kowalkiewicz against the fence but only stays there briefly as Kowalkiewicz strikes well in close quarters. The disengage with three minutes left and Kowalkiewicz whiffs on a spinning back fist, but scores with a pinpoint right hand to the jaw, turning Clark’s head. Back to the clinch goes Clark, slowing the pace of the fight as she digs deep for a high double-leg takedown. Kowalkiewicz pulls down Clark’s head in the Thai plum, sends a pair of knees upstairs and then breaks away. Clark is getting a little more reckless, swinging long punches toward Kowalkiewicz, whose shorter, quicker counters have further bloodied Clark’s face. Inside the final minute, Clark tries to hold Kowalkiewicz in the clinch on the fence. The unbeaten prospect breaks loose and starts teeing off on Clark with fast hands, finishing strong with a dozen or more punches in rapid succession.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Kowalkiewicz (29-28 Kowalkiewicz)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Kowalkiewicz (29-28 Kowalkiewicz)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Kowalkiewicz (29-28 Kowalkiewicz)

The Official Result

Karolina Kowalkiewicz def. Heather Clark via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Francimar Barroso vs. Nikita Krylov

Round 1

Both 205ers come out throwing hands, but it’s Krylov who clips Barroso in the early exchange, backing up the Brazilian to the fence. Barroso tries to clinch but gets spun around, and now it’s Krylov landing short knees to the Brazilian’s legs from the outside position. Krylov switches to a single-leg, can’t get the takedown and goes back to throwing knees. Barroso breaks out of the clinch with an uppercut right around the midway point of the round. A lead uppercut snaps back Krylov’s head, allowing Barroso to change levels and take down “Al Capone” in the center of the cage. Barroso tries to take the back but Krylov powers up to his feet and separates with just over 90 seconds remaining in the round. Barroso gets the better of a few sloppy striking exchanges in the final minute, while Krylov finishes the round throwing a wild combination near the fence.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Krylov
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Krylov
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Barroso

Round 2

Krylov initiates a clinch but soon is dragged to the ground by Barroso near the fence. Krylov sweeps to top position, stands over Barroso and gets clicked with a hard upkick. Back to the ground comes Krylov, and he’s warned by referee Lukasz Bosacki for headbutting Barroso in the chest. Nonetheless, Krylov retains top position and attempts to ground-and-pound Barroso as they reach the two-minute mark in round two. Barroso throws up an armbar, can’t get it, and now Krylov advances to the Brazilian’s half guard. Krylov stands briefly, comes diving back to the ground and nearly gets caught in a triangle choke. Barroso loses the position and winds up on his knees, allowing Krylov to attach himself to his back. Krylov slaps on a rear-naked choke but doesn’t appear to get underneath the chin before Barroso taps out.

The Official Result

Nikita Krylov def. Francimar Barroso via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R2 3:11

Anna Elmose vs. Germaine de Randamie

Round 1

The taller de Randamie probes the distance with a front kick to the face, and a quick right hand after. Elmose changes levels and grabs de Randamkie's left leg, running her into the fence with a fruitless takedown attempt, but the larger “Iron Lady” defends and elbows to the side of the head. De Randamie breaks Elmose's grip and brings her up into the clinch with over-unders. De Randamie moves to a double collar tie and gets in a few knees before Elmose breaks. De Randamie is right back to work, trotting toward Elmose and whipping her with jabs and right hands. Elmose can't get past the jab now. The Dutch fighter lands another right cross down the middle, moves back to the double collar tie and lands a bevy of knees. De Randamie takes her time and as Elmose tries to bring a knee up to block the clinch strikes, de Randamie lands a brutal knee to the body that folds her Danish opponent up against the fence. As Elmose doubles over, grabbing her midsection, referee Rich Mitchell dives in to save her as de Randamie moves in to finish with punches.

The Official Result

Germaine de Randamie def. Anna Elmose via KO (Knee to the Body) R1 3:46

Gunnar Nelson vs. Albert Tumenov

Round 1

Nelson connects with a right hand over the top as he bounces in a wide open stance. Tumenov backs up the Icelandic fighter with a left kick across the body, tries to run Nelson against the fence but gets shoved away. Tumenov catches a body kick, can’t convert it and continues to press forward. Nelson eats a right hand counter to one of his kicks and goes shooting for a takedown, immediately driving Tumenov to the canvas near the fence. Straight to full mount goes Nelson, hooking his feet underneath Tumenov’s legs to keep “Einstein” unstable. Nelson lands grinding elbows from mount and stays heavy on top as Tumenov tries to buck him off. Nelson gets over-aggressive with his elbows and allows Tumenov to escape to his feet, but there’s less than 30 seconds left in the round. Tumenov tries to slug back at Nelson and reclaim some ground, but he runs out of time.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Nelson
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Nelson
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Nelson

Round 2

Nelson stays standing through the first minute of the round, switching stances in front of Tumenov, who tries to punch his way forward. Once Tumenov gets close enough, Nelson drops levels and looks for a takedown on the fence, but “Einstein” fends off the attempt. Tumenov lands a body kick, catches Nelson’s return kick and slugs “Gunni” with a couple left hands. This prompts Nelson to shoot for another takedown, and this time he succeeds in dragging Tumenov to the canvas. Again, Nelson is able to achieve full mount with little effort, and this time he has nearly three minutes to work from the top. Tumenov rolls to his knees, giving up his back, which Nelson secures straight away with a body triangle. Nelson loops his right arm arouns Tumenov’s face and tries to get under the chin for a rear-naked choke. The RNC doesn’t materialize right away, so Nelson squeezes tight on a crossface neck crank, and that’s enough to force Tumenov to submit.

The Official Result

Gunnar Nelson def. Albert Tumenov via Submission (Neck Crank) R2 3:15

Antonio Silva vs. Stefan Struve

Round 1

Silva comes forward to clinch with Struve and gets popped with a right cross, then an uppercut. The Brazilian tries to force Struve backward against the cage and is met with a huge knee to the chest that sends “Bigfoot” slumping to the ground at the base of the fence. Silva instinctively grabs for Struve’s legs, but he’s all out of sorts and Struve is pouring on the punishment. Struve lands half a dozen elbows to the side of the head, knocking Silva out cold and sending referee Leon Roberts in for the stoppage. The Rotterdam crowd goes berserk for Struve as the Dutchman scores a quick and nasty finish on home soil.

The Official Result

Stefan Struve def. Antonio Silva via KO (Elbows) R1 0:15

Andrei Arlovski vs. Alistair Overeem

Round 1

Arlovski twitches and feints in front of Overeem for a few seconds and then blitzes the Dutchman with a six-punch combination, forcing Overeem to cover up with his back to the fence. When the attack subsides, Arlovski digs an underhook and pins his former training partner to the cage, but he’s forced to release when “The ‘Reem” throws a high knee over Arlovski’s shoulder. The big men circle back to the center of the cage, where Overeem pulls down Arlovski’s head in the Thai clinch to deliver a knee and then releases. The pace slows now, with two minutes remaining in the opening frame, as the heavyweights test the range with jabs and low kicks. Arlovski steps into the pocket and gets tripped to the ground by Overeem, who hesitates for a moment before following him down and setting up in Arlovski’s guard. Overeem tries to ground-and-pound but Arlovski does well to avoid damage by keeping tight to the former Strikeforce champ.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Overeem
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Overeem
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Overeem

Round 2

Both fighters swing and miss with heavy shots in the opening minute, though Overeem succeeds in backing up Arlovski with a nice kick to the midsection. “Pitbull” pushes back with a pair of punches and has a left high kick blocked. Now it’s Arlovski coming forward, walking into the path of a front kick from Overeem. The kick freezes Arlovski in his tracks, and Overeem follows up with a quick left hook that sends the former UFC champ slumping to the canvas. Curled up on his left side, Arlovski tries to cover up as Overeem pounds away with heavy right hands. Referee Marc Goddard gives Arlovski a few seconds to recover, but after Overeem throws a dozen unanswered strikes, the fight is waved off.

The Official Result

Alistair Overeem def. Andrei Arlovski via TKO (Front Kick and Punches) R2 1:12