UFC Washington D.C.: Rozenstruik’s Last-Second KO of Overeem
Surely down on the scorecards and heading for his first career defeat, Jairzinho Rozenstruik fired off a sudden one-two that dropped Alistair Overeem and busted his lip open to score a come-from-behind knockout victory in the main event of UFC Washington D.C.
Jairzinho Rozenstruik's finish at 4:56 R5 is tied for the 3rd latest finish in UFC history. Here are the top 4:
4:59 R5 – Demetrious Johnson (4/25/15)
4:59 R5 – Yair Rodriguez (11/10/18)
4:56 R5 – @JairRozenstruik (12/7/19) #UFCDC
4:56 R5 – Frankie Edgar (11/22/14) pic.twitter.com/0x5LolQYlx— UFC News (@UFCNews) December 8, 2019
Many expected the fight would be over in the first round, considering the knockout power of both men, but instead the fight nearly went the full 25 minutes.
The fight got off to a slow pace and only left such pacing on occasion, but Overeem took control from the near get-go when he took Rozenstruik down and held him there for most of the round’s remaining time.
After a close second round featuring lots of clinching, the third saw very little action from either man until Overeem scored yet another takedown — the first time Overeem scored more than one takedown in an MMA fight since 2008. Again, Overeem held Rozenstruik down until the end of the round.
Rozenstruik did force Overeem back with pressure and flurries in the fourth, but it was clear he would need a miracle finish in the fifth…and he got one.
After the 10-second warning went off, Rozenstruik fired a one-two that sent Overeem to the canvas. Overeem did get up but stumbled, and referee Dan Miragliota elected to wave the fight off. Upon replay, the one-two by Rozenstruik was so powerful it caused Overeem’s lip to explode, which also contributed to the sudden stoppage.
All it takes is one for @JairRozenstruik 😨 pic.twitter.com/MRTg1mNpch
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) December 8, 2019
🤢 #UFCDC pic.twitter.com/2EPIMaZZYt
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) December 8, 2019
After the fight, Rozenstruik, who is now 10-0 (4-0 UFC), called out another top heavyweight contender in Francis Ngannou for a fight in March or April.
I heard you babayga. You made yourself very clear tonight. Congrats on your come back by the way.#uncrowndedchamp ☝️#UFCDC
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) December 8, 2019
This capped off a night in the U.S. capital that featured two majority draws on the main card and finishes-a-plenty, with three other KO/TKOs and four submissions — including the second-ever twister in UFC history by Bryce Mitchell.
UFC HISTORY 📝
🇺🇸 @ThugnastyMMA records the second twister EVER in the Octagon!
➡️ Action continues on @ESPN pic.twitter.com/vN85j7AAxC
— UFC (@ufc) December 8, 2019
Main Card (ESPN, 9 p.m. ET)
Jairzinho Rozenstruik def. Alistair Overeem via KO (Rd. 5, 4:56)
Marina Rodriguez vs. Cynthia Calvillo goes to a majority draw (29-28, 28-28, 28-28)
Ben Rothwell def. Stefan Struve via TKO (Rd. 2, 4:57)
Aspen Ladd def. Yana Kunitskaya via TKO (Rd. 3, 0:33)
Cody Stamann vs. Song Yadong goes to a majority draw (29-27, 28-28, 28-28)
Rob Font def. Ricky Simon via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Preliminary Card (ESPN, 7 p.m. ET)
Tim Means def. Thiago Alves via submission (guillotine choke) (Rd. 1, 2:38)
Billy Quarantillo def. Jacob Kilburn via submission (triangle choke) (Rd. 2, 3:18)
Bryce Mitchell def. Matt Sayles via submission (twister) (Rd. 1, 4:20)
Joe Solecki def. Matt Wiman via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)
Early Prelims (ESPN+, 5:45 p.m. ET)
Virna Jandiroba def. Mallory Martin via submission (rear-naked choke) (Rd. 2, 1:16)
Makhmud Muradov def. Trevor Smith via KO (R.d 3, 4:09)