Tag: Alistair Overeem

UFC on ESPN 7: Make your predictions for Alistair Overeem vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik

We want your predictions for Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 7 event in Washington, D.C.

We want your predictions for Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 7 event in Washington, D.C.

Our staff picks feature includes the consensus picks from MMA Junkie readers. Simply cast your vote for each bout below, and we’ll use the official tallies that are registered by Thursday at noon ET (9 a.m. PT).

Those MMA Junkie reader consensus picks will be part of the UFC on ESPN 7 event staff predictions we release Friday ahead of the event. UFC on ESPN 7 takes place Saturday at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. The main card airs on ESPN following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+.

Make your picks for all six main card fights inside:

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6, Page 7, Page 8

UFC on ESPN 7: Fans invited to open workouts in Washington, D.C.

If you’re in the nation’s capital for this week’s UFC on ESPN 7 card, you can get up close and personal with some of the event’s standouts.

If you’re in the nation’s capital for this week’s UFC on ESPN 7 card, you can get up close and personal with some of the event’s standouts.

UFC on ESPN 7 takes place Saturday at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. The main card airs on ESPN following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+.

In the main event, [autotag]Alistair Overeem[/autotag] (45-17 MMA, 10-6 UFC) takes on the undefeated [autotag]Jairzinho Rozenstruik[/autotag] (9-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) in a heavyweight clash. In the co-feature, [autotag]Cynthia Calvillo[/autotag] (8-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) meets [autotag]Marina Rodriguez[/autotag] (12-0-1 MMA, 2-0-1 UFC) in a women’s strawweight bout.

Prior to the event, fans can attend open workouts with the fighters Wednesday night. Doors open for the public at 5 p.m. ET at Capital One Arena. The main and co-main event fighters then will workout for fans and the media in 20-minute increments starting at 5:30.

Calvillo will go through her workout first, followed by Rozenstruik, Rodriguez and Overeem.

Unlike many UFC shows, there are no ceremonial weigh-ins for the fans Friday ahead of the event. So Wednesday’s open workout sessions are the only official opportunity for fans to see the event’s headliners before Saturday’s card.

The UFC on ESPN 7 lineup includes:

MAIN CARD (ESPN, 9 p.m. ET)

  • Alistair Overeem vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik
  • Cynthia Calvillo vs. Marina Rodriguez
  • Ben Rothwell vs. Stefan Struve
  • Yana Kunitskaya vs. Aspen Ladd
  • Cody Stamann vs. Song Yadong
  • Rob Font vs. Ricky Simon

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN, 7 p.m. ET)

  • Thiago Alves vs. Tim Means
  • Jacob Kilburn vs. Billy Quarantillo
  • Bryce Mitchell vs. Matt Sayles
  • Joe Solecki vs. Matt Wiman

PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+, 6 p.m. ET)

  • Virna Jandiroba vs. Mallory Martin
  • Makhmud Muradov vs. Trevor Smith

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UFC on ESPN 7 free fight: Alistair Overeem offers up his best Daniel LaRusso

It’s no secret that Alistair Overeem is dangerous on the feet, and as he proved in 2016, he’s dangerous with his feet, as well.

It’s no secret that [autotag]Alistair Overeem[/autotag] is dangerous on the feet, and as he proved in 2016, he’s dangerous with his feet, as well.

The decorated striker has faced a who’s who list of MMA for nearly 20 years, and in May 2016, it was former UFC champ Andrei Arlovski’s chance to stand across the cage from “The Reem.” Fighting in the Netherland in the main event of UFC Fight Night 87, Overeem capped off a banner night for Dutch athletes, with Stefan Struve and Germaine de Randamie also picking up victories on the night’s main card.

All three of those fighters picked up “Performance of the Night” awards, as well, and the fans left the Rotterdam Ahoy buzzing after Overeem’s leaping front kick landed clean, sending Arlovski to the canvas in the second round. Overeem then followed with punches to earn the TKO win.

Overeem (45-17 MMA, 10-6 UFC) returns to action at next week’s UFC on ESPN 7 event, when he takes on undefeated slugger Jairzinho Rozenstruik (9-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC). In the meantime, check out Overeem’s handiwork against Arlovski.

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Alistair Overeem on how he’s withstood tests of time during two-decade career

For two decades, Alistair Overeem has been competing against the best fighters in the world at the highest level. But how?

For two decades, [autotag]Alistair Overeem[/autotag] has competed at the highest level against the best fighters in the world.

Champions and challengers have come and gone. Yet Overeem (45-17 MMA, 10-6 UFC) is still here, hovering at the top of the division, headlining shows as he tries to earn his second UFC title shot.

So what makes him different? What makes him stand out above the pack and withstand the tests of time?

In a recent interview posted on UFC.com, Overeem gave insight on his mentality as a fighter. From a young age, Overeem said the fighter’s mentality has mirrored his own.

“I think I’ve always been a fighter,” Overeem said. “I’ve always kicked ass – even before I was professionally a fighter. I’d have fights in the street and it even got me in trouble a couple of times.

“Some people will never be fighters, and then some people are born fighters.”

For all he’s accomplished, there is one feat he still hasn’t tackled – winning the UFC heavyweight championship. After all these years, Overeem is still motivated by the elusive nature of the belt.

“I have my own goals – of course: UFC gold,” Overeem said. “To win the title would be a great close on my career.”

One of his keys to success, Overeem has used MMA as an outlet for his physicality. The former Strikeforce champion has been able to harness his aggression and translate it into a successful career.

“I think us fighters go for amazing stories,” Overeem said. “My career in particular has been a long adventure. I think I was built for it. I’ve been all over the world. I’ve fought in 89 fights, kickboxing and MMA. I’m just doing my thing. I’m following my passion. It’s been a great adventure and I’m still going strong.”

In the video above, hear more about Overeem’s mentality from the man himself.

The Blue Corner is MMA Junkie’s blog space. We don’t take it overly serious, and neither should you. If you come complaining to us that something you read here is not hard-hitting news, expect to have the previous sentence repeated in ALL CAPS.

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Jairzinho Rozenstruik in awe of quick UFC rise: ‘Damn, I know those guys from my PlayStation’

Jairzinho Rozenstruik is enjoying the ride ahead of the biggest – and unexpected – opportunity of his career.

[autotag]Jairzinho Rozenstruik[/autotag]’s rise through the UFC heavyweight division has been a quick one, and things might just get even faster next month.

The Surinamese fighter began his career in the UFC back in February, scoring a second-round TKO victory over Junior Albini at UFC on ESPN+ 2 in Brazil. Since his debut, Rozenstruik (9-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) has picked up first-round knockouts over Allen Crowder and most recently former UFC  heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski.

And just a couple of days after the biggest win of his career at UFC 244, Rozenstruik was slotted to face another legendary name in the game. The unbeaten heavyweight replaced Walt Harris, who’s in search of his missing step-daughter, to take on [autotag]Alistair Overeem[/autotag] (45-17 MMA, 10-6 UFC) in the main event of UFC on ESPN 7 on Dec. 7.

“I just fought, and I didn’t fight that long, and there was an opportunity that came up with the Walt Harris situation with his stepdaughter missing. I hope they find her as soon as possible in this heart-breaking situation, and there was a chance where I could’ve got the fight or Derick Lewis could’ve got that fight,” Rozenstruik told MMA Junkie. “But Derrick Lewis fought, and I think he’s a little bit injured. I think I was the only one that wasn’t injured, so I got the opportunity to get the fight. As soon as the question came up I accepted.

“A win over Alistair Overeem would mean a lot for my career, and for sure I’m happy. I get the chance at this high level in the rankings to prove my skills. I see it as a test and on December 7, I’ll be ready to show my skills.”

Overeem is No. 8 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie heavyweight rankings and holds one of the bigger names in the weight class, having fought for the UFC title and being a former Strikeforce and DREAM heavyweight champion.

Rozenstruik, who trains out of Hardknocks 365 in South Florida, is well aware of what a win over “The Reem” could do to his career.

“I hope a win over Alistair Overeem will bring me to the top 10, maybe top five,” Rozenstruik said. “With this fight, I’m already happy, so where I land on the rankings with this fight is just going to be a surprise. I’m already happy with this matchup, so that’s a surprise for me. I come from all the way down, and I got myself up this fast, so whatever comes next will be just extra for me.

“Overeem got my respect for sure. He’s done a lot; he’s a legendary name. He has a good style, and I’ll be prepared for everything. I’ll make sure to get my hand raised at the end of the fight whether it goes five rounds or one. I think a win over him would be very good for my career.”

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The idea of possibly going from a UFC debutant to a top title contender in less than a year is one that still sounds a little crazy to Rozenstruik.

“I have to be honest: No, I never saw it coming so fast,” Rozenstruik explained. “I really wanted it. Me and my coach Michael Babb, we didn’t expect it be so fast. We train hard all the time, so we expect everything, but that we were going to rise so fast in 2019, no, we didn’t see it, but we’re happy with it.”

Rozenstruik is happy and feels lucky to have been able to get four fights in his first year with the UFC. He’s also grateful of the household names he’s been able to get matched up.

“Yeah, he’s (Alistair Overeem) a big name, and it’s good to have a win over such a big name on your record, and you’ll always remember those special moments for sure,” Rozenstruik said.

“As soon as I got that fight, I was like, ‘Oh damn, I know those guys from my PlayStation.’ I’ve been working for this, and this is awesome. I’m living my dream, and I give it my all. I’ve been playing them (UFC games) since PlayStation 2, and now I play it on my PlayStation 4.”

It’s unsure where a win on Dec. 7 could put “Bigi Boy” in the UFC heavyweight sphere, but it will sure get him a lot closer to championship gold. And Rozenstruik is not afraid of being catapulted to the very top.

“I was born ready for this. Life prepared me for this, and I can’t wait to get to the top after this,” Rozenstruik said. “I’m going to get to there one way or another. I will win this fight. I really want to make it happen.”

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