Throwback: Check Out Overeem’s Dissection Of Lesnar

Before Alistair Overeem takes on Walt Harris this Saturday, May 16 from inside the Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville for UFC on ESPN 9, check out his dominant UFC debut.

Two top heavyweights collided at UFC 141 in 2011, as Overeem looked to prove he was the real deal against Brock Lesnar, a former UFC Heavyweight Champion. The former Strikeforce and PRIDE Heavyweight Champion in Overeem (45-18, 1NC) and Lesnar dealt with issues regarding drug testing before the fight but were able to still compete.

Lesnar threw a few kicks early to start, rare for the former WWE Champion. Overeem went for the overhand shot but missed. The announce team was teasing Lesnar using the takedown, something he has used to attack many times. Overeem, however, blocked any attempts by Lesnar and then proceeded to kick Lesnar in the midsection multiple times, where he recently recovered from diverticulitis. That slowed Lesnar down, and while he tried to strike away, Overeem was stalking him. Overeem landed another shot, and one last kick knocked Lesnar to the floor.

Overeem hit shots to the face of Lesnar in the corner before Mario Yamasaki finally called off the bout. The first-round loss was Lesnar’s last UFC fight until returning in 2016.