Heading into tonight’s title fight with Miocic, Overeem is on a four-fight winning streak with victories over former UFC champions in Andre Arlovski and Junior dos Santos. He’s a motivated fighter and, better yet, a motivated athlete from Cleveland. He’s a hard working guy; he’s a respected guy, a respectful guy.
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Overeem scored a knockdown on Miocic with a left kick about a minute into the round. “This is not a sport to be a baby”.
Another fight worth mentioning is a bantamweight bout between Urijah Faber and Jimmy Rivera. Impressive win for Andrade. Less than three years since he quit professional wrestling with no MMA fights under his belt, Punk is a heavy underdog, and it would be an upset if the fight lasts the full three rounds.
The crowd had been boisterous all night, but it worked itself into a frenzy as Miocic walked to the octagon to “The Land” – a rap anthem by Cleveland’s own Machine Gun Kelly that was dedicated to Cleveland.
On this night, at that moment, the city of Cleveland and its champion were the greatest thing going in sports … again.
CM Punk said his MMA debut was similar to Tim Tebow giving baseball a shot.
The mixed martial arts debut of former WWE performer CM Punk did not go well, as he lost to Mickey Gall in the very first round.
Werdum will also be on the main card, as he looks to get back on track against Travis Browne.
After he won the title, Miocic was awarded yet another championship prize.
This win keeps Werdum towards the top of the heavyweight division and puts Werdum back in the win column.
Rivera won on a unanimous decision, effectively bringing down the curtain on the California Kid’s career.
That was a s good as the fight got for Overeem, who spent the rest of the fight landing a few big shots, but not really troubling Miocic. “I remember punching him in the face until he was unconscious”. “I don’t want to sound cocky, but that’s how I feel”.
The Ohio native knocked Alistair Overeem out cold with about 30 seconds remaining in the first round of the championship match. Everywhere where the fight will be I’m very confident that I’m going to come out on top… “There’s just going to be about 10,000 more people there this time”.
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Overeem estimated “99.8 percent” of the crowd at Quicken Loans Arena will be vocal supporters of Miocic, a hometown hero who still works as a firefighter and paramedic in suburban Cleveland.
