PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alistair Overeem (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sugar OD (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alistair Overeem has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Overeem
vs
OD

195 cm
25
257 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

162 cm
20
220 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alistair Overeem!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Sugar OD!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Paul Aken and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
OD tries to close the distance and clinch up but Overeem swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Overeem dives in for a single leg takedown but OD sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

OD instigates a clinch.
OD throws a punch but it's blocked by Overeem.
OD lands a body shot.

Overeem breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Overeem shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with OD but OD pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A countering left hand to the body from OD misses.
OD throws a head kick but Overeem moves out of range.
Nice takedown defense from OD. No joy for Overeem on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alistair Overeem. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Overeem avoids a punch combination nicely.

OD takes the fight into the clinch.
OD is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Overeem has OD pressed against the cage, preventing OD from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

OD escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Overeem changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. OD tries to avoid it but Overeem manages to keep hold of a leg and drag OD to the ground. OD escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Overeem shoots in but no luck this time.
Overeem doesn't succeed with the takedown
and OD counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A punch combination from OD misses.
Sugar OD seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
OD misses with an uppercut. Overeem saw that one coming.
Overeem is looking for a counter combo.
OD has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
OD looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

Overeem fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with OD, pushing him back against the cage.
OD jumps guard but Overeem turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Overeem jumps guard and drags OD to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
OD wants to control from the top but Overeem keeps moving.
Overeem utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
OD wants to control from the top but Overeem keeps moving.
OD advances to half guard.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - OD has eaten all the pies!
OD looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

Overeem looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Overeem is staying active underneath OD, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
OD not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Overeem avoiding damage under a succession of punches from OD.

OD postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Overeem to stand up.
Overeem keeps the fight on the outside.
OD lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by OD.
Overeem looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
OD dives in and grabs Overeem's left leg, looking for a takedown. Overeem pushes down on OD's head and hops out.
Overeem tries to counter by clinching up but OD breaks away and moves out of range.
OD tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Overeem manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Overeem shoots in for a double leg but OD sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
OD doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
OD loads up on a big right hand but Overeem slips the punch.
Overeem shoots in looking for a takedown. OD tries to sprawl out of it but Overeem keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. OD manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Overeem shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. OD defends it nicely.
Overeem is breathing heavily.
OD tries for a takedown but Overeem sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
OD stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Overeem.

OD rushes Overeem and presses him up against the cage.
OD looking to slow down the pace here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
OD tries to pull guard but Overeem won't allow it.
A frustrated look appears on OD's face as he tries to break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sugar OD dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

OD tries to clinch but Overeem is having none of it.
Overeem throws a big counter combination but OD scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
OD is looking to clinch.
OD wants to clinch.
OD throws a body punch but Overeem moves out of range.
OD tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Overeem paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Overeem goes for a double leg but OD avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as OD continues to drive forward.
A punch combination from OD misses.
Overeem tries for a takedown but OD sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Overeem jabs at OD's body.
Overeem lands a head kick. OD smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Overeem throws a series of punches but OD moves out of range.
Sugar OD seems to be getting the better of the standup.
OD fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Overeem manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
OD tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Overeem manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Overeem moves into the clinch.
OD wants to get back to striking at distance but Overeem won't allow it.
Overeem tries to pull guard but OD won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alistair Overeem. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Overeem breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
OD with a lazy takedown attempt

and Overeem counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
OD is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Overeem pulls him back up using the underhooks.
OD is breathing heavily.
OD trying to control the position but instead, Overeem has worked for underhooks and has pushed OD into the cage.

Overeem breaks the clinch.
Overeem scores with a head kick.

It looks like Sugar OD has been cut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
OD wants to clinch up but Overeem keeps it at a distance.

OD tries to keep at a distance but Overeem has taken the fight into the clinch.
OD wants to get back to striking at distance but Overeem won't allow it.

Overeem successfully pulls guard.
OD postures up and lands a big shot to Overeem's brow.

Overeem is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
OD trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
OD wants to pass the guard but Overeem is keeping the position.
OD must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
OD trying to control but Overeem is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Overeem has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but OD can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Overeem keeping moving, preventing OD from controlling successfully.
Overeem preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

OD gets a clinch.
Overeem misses with a punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Overeem breaks the clinch.
OD misses with a few strikes there.
OD throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Overeem stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Overeem will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
OD throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
OD tries to clinch but Overeem moves out of range.
OD throws a shot to the body.
OD throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Overeem sees it coming and avoids it easily.
As OD looks to move away, Overeem throws a big counter combo but OD just gets out of the way.
OD tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Overeem was well out of range. Poor timing from OD.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Overeem shoots for a takedown but OD saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Overeem circles away from the clinch attempt.
Overeem tries to clinch up but OD circles away and keeps his distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Alistair Overeem will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Sugar OD's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Overeem leaves OD with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Overeem fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with OD, pushing him back against the cage.
Overeem has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. OD avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

OD manages to pull guard.

Overeem drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Overeem jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
OD keeping full guard, as Overeem tries to pass.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

OD kicks Overeem off and gets to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Overeem looks for a takedown but OD sprawls well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Overeem scores with a head kick. OD tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
OD doesn't manage to clinch there - Overeem circles away.
Overeem scores with a spinning back kick!

Overeem scores with a takedown into OD's guard.
Overeem will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Overeem trying to control but OD is working from the bottom.

OD pushes Overeem off and gets back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
OD swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Overeem has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alistair Overeem. That's going to take a lot out of him.
OD fails with a takedown attempt.
This has been an exciting period of action!
OD misses the jab.

Overeem gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Overeem pushes OD back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Overeem scores with a shot to the side of OD's head.
Overeem is trying to pull guard but OD has him pressed against the cage.
OD is looking for a takedown.
OD tries to pull guard but Overeem won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
OD drops down looking for an ankle pick but Overeem pulls his leg out and moves away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Overeem pulls guard effortlessly.
OD is looking to pass into half guard but Overeem pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Overeem is in guard.

OD can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Overeem controls the pace.
OD is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
OD is looking to advance position but Overeem won't allow it.
Overeem keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Overeem avoiding damage under a succession of punches from OD.
OD seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Overeem does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Overeem gets back to full guard.
OD in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
OD is stalling in the full guard.
OD looking to sit in guard and control but Overeem gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alistair Overeem showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Overeem has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alistair Overeem!