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September 5, 2020 | Posted by Robert Winfree
UFC on ESPN+ 34

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MAIN CARD (ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET)
#6 Alistair Overeem (252.5 lbs.) vs. #9 Augusto Sakai (261.5 lbs.)
Alonzo Menifield (204 lbs.) vs. Ovince Saint Preux (205.5 lbs.)
Zelim Imadaev (171 lbs.) vs. Michel Pereira (170.5 lbs.)
Bartosz Fabinski (184.5 lbs.) vs. Andre Muniz (185.5 lbs.)
Thiago Moises (155.5 lbs.) vs. Jalin Turner (155 lbs.)
Brian Kelleher (146 lbs.) vs. Ray Rodriguez (144.5 lbs.)
#8 Viviane Araujo (126 lbs.) vs. #11 Montana De La Rosa (125.5 lbs.)
Marcos Rogerio de Lima (260.5 lbs.) vs. Alexander Romanov (259 lbs.)
Hunter Azure (135.5 lbs.) vs. Cole Smith (135 lbs.)

Hey there everyone and welcome to 411mania’s LIVE coverage of UFC on ESPN+ 34. I’m Robert Winfree and I’ll be your host for the evening, relaying all of the action to you just as I see it. We’ve got a near total space filler event tonight on paper people, so strap in. The main event is a relevant heavyweight fight as Alistair Overeem tries for one more run at the top while rising contender Augusto Sakai is going for the biggest win of his career. A few weeks ago Ovince Saint Preux and Alonzo Menifield were supposed to fight before a positive COVID-19 test on the part of Saint Preux, so now they’re fighting here. Neither man is ranked but light heavyweight is fairly open and Menifield is a guy the UFC is hoping to be able to push. Elsewhere on the card Thiago Moises battles Jalin Turner, and there’s a ranked women’s flyweight battle between Viviane Araujo and Montana De La Rosa. Really though we’re hoping for this card to over perform because there just isn’t a whole lot here on paper.

UFC on ESPN+ 34 comes to the world from the UFC APEX facility in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. On commentary we have Jon Anik and the recently retired Daniel Cormier. As for the rules Nevada uses a hybrid system, they’ve adopted most of the changes but you still only need one hand on the mat to be considered downed and they allow officials access to instant replay whenever they want it. We are also still in the smaller 25 foot octagon.

Just a bit ago we got word that Moises vs. Turner is off after Moises had a positive COVID-19 test so that really sucks. Oh, a little over an hour before the first fight was supposed to start (6 pm) word came down that Marcos Rogerio de Lima had a positive COVID-19 test so his fight with Alexander Romanov is off. We’re down to a 7 fight card people, the first time the UFC has had that few fights on a card since 2005 when the second season of TUF had its finale. If something else happens we could hit 6, only 3 times in UFC history has there only been a 6 fight card, those being UFC 3, UFC 25, and UFC 37.5. I know the UFC has to hit a certain threshold of events for ESPN and their platforms (40 or there about) but their mad dash to keep the machinery turning over is getting more and more insane.

Cole Smith has gone 1-1 in the UFC but he’s coming off of his first professional loss, and now looks to return to the winning side of things. Hunter Azure is in an identical position which means one of these two prospects is going to experience their first ever losing streak, and Azure is trying to make sure it’s not him. Azure is the -240 favorite to a tempting value payout of +200 on Smith.

Bantamweight Bout: Hunter Azure (8-1, 135.5 lbs.) vs. Cole Smith (7-1, 135 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Smith is three inches taller but Azure has two inches of reach advantage. Opening kicks from Smith, Azure avoiding them so far. A lot of range finding and probing from both men so far. Smith lands a calf kick. Some stance switching from Smith. Azure catches a kick and gets a takedown into guard. Smith back up but Azure has a front headlock and is looking to snap him down. Azure lands a knee then Smith escapes. Azure with a leg kick then a left and a right and drops Smith with it. Azure follows him down and moves to the back as Smith tries to stand. Smith is back up along the fence but Azure is hanging on his back trying to break him down. Some elbows from Azure but Smith has gotten around chest to chest and is looking for his own takedown. Elbow from Smith lands flush. Azure spins free and they reset at distance. Both men land leg kicks. Azure catches a kick and gets another takedown, Smith tries an armbar but Azure defends. Another armbar attempt from Smith but Azure avoids this one with ease and moves to half guard then lands punches. Smith to his knees, Azure into the ride position. Knees from Azure, Smith is back up but eats punches along the way. Uppercut from Azure as they exit the clinch. Both men land lefts in close as the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Azure

ROUND TWO: Smith feinting the kicks again. Both men land some leg kicks, then Azure misses an overhand right. Azure with a blitz attack, he lands a right and then gets a clinch on the fence. Smith spins Azure into the fence and is after a double leg. Azure is threatening a guillotine but Smith adjusts the angle of his attempt and gets the takedown. Smith to the back but Azure is up and they’re back to clinch fighting. Azure slips around to the back, they break then Smith tries a double leg and Azure is defending. Smith switches to a low single leg but Azure is looking to spin around to his back. Azure hops to the back but only has one hook in a and bails on that to retain a rear waist lock. Double leg from Azure, he again moves towards the back standing as Smith gets up. More clinch wrestling, Smith can’t seem to get free as he’s taken down off of another double leg. Smith is sitting against the fence but he’s getting drowned in the grappling exchanges. Back on the feet but still clinched, some elbows from Smith and then a few punches from Azure close out the round.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Azure, 20-18 Azure overall

ROUND THREE: Smith trying to work kicks again as the round starts. Left from Smith lands. Azure with a bit of a left hook and then he’s after a double leg against the fence. They wind up chest to chest. Smith is able to escape and starts kicking again. Short right from Smith in close, then he slips throwing a knee and Azure gets a front headlock on him against the fence. They wind up clinched again. They trade short punches and Azure gets a double leg. Smith looks to wall walk but moves to the turtle position. Azure with some knees to the body, he looks to take the back but only gets one hook in. Smith shakes Azure off and then lands an elbow in the clinch and gets his own takedown. Azure back up and Smith jumps to the backpack position looking for a choke. Smith moves to a body triangle and they wind up back on the mat. Choke attempt from Smith but Azure is hand fighting well. Azure moves to his knees and looks to shake Smith off over his head but Smith retains the body lock. Smith keeps fishing for the choke but wont find anything before the clock runs down.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Smith, 29-28 Azure overall

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Hunter Azure via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

No scoring controversy, Azure made it a close quarters wrestling heavy fight and then didn’t fumble the ball in the third round when Smith tried to stage a comeback. Mic time for Azure, he says winning was the focus and he’ll take the win even if he doesn’t feel great about the performance. He feels he could have blended striking and grappling better as he was focused on one or the other. Asked about his cardio he says his cardio was good but his arms were kind of dead in the final round.

Viviane Araujo has gone 2-1 in the UFC but is coming off of that loss and is trying to avoid her first ever losing streak. Montana De La Rosa has gone 4-1 in the UFC and is coming off of a win, she’s trying to move up through the flyweight ranks with another win. Araujo is the -180 favorite to +160 on De La Rosa.

Women’s Flyweight Bout: #8 Viviane Araujo (8-2, 126 lbs.) vs. #11 Montana De La Rosa (11-5, 125.5 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: De La Rosa is three inches taller but the reach is identical. They touch gloves to get us going. Araujo bouncing in and out early, she misses a few punches. De La Rosalands a right, Araujo lands a leg kick. They split a few jabs, Araujo working De La Rosa towards the fence. Right to the body from Araujo. De La Rosa misses a looping right. Araujo keeps switching her stance. Right to the body from Araujo, De La Rosa counters with a left. Araujo lands a leg kick. De La Rosa is getting flat on her feet quickly, Araujo lands a right then a leg kick. Clubbing right from Araujo then a leg kick but De La Rosa trips her down. Araujo back up and on the back as they’re clinched. Some rights from Araujo and they break. De La Rosa is bleeding from the nose I think, not baldy but it’s there. Araujo lands another calf kick and De La Rosa is switching her stance now. Another body shot from Araujo then an overhand right. They trade some leg kicks but that’s to Araujo’s advantage as De La Rosa’s leg is already a touch compromised. Araujo working the lead hand now, lands some lefts then De La Rosa gets a clinch. De La Rosa is after a takedown but Araujo defends and separates with a punch. Some lead hand work from both women, then Araujo lands another calf kick. Double leg from Araujo stalls out on the fence as the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Araujo

ROUND TWO: Araujo pushing De La Rosa back again with the jab and forward pressure. Both women land rights then Araujo lands a body kick. Araujo lands another calf kick. Left hook from Araujo lands. Another trade of rights, and a hard calf kick from Araujo. De La Rosa’s left leg is in trouble. Bit of a right from Araujo. De La Rosa lands a right of her own. Jabs go back and forth, Araujo has more firepower and she’s busting up the face of De La Rosa. They trade rights and De La Rosa is backing up again. Another trade of jabs, then Araujo lands a body kick. Araujo with an overhand right. De La Rosa is still circling away from Araujo. More jabs from Araujo, if she’d build on that she could really get some offense going. Leg kick from Araujo and they trade rights. De La Rosa keeps showing a head kick but it’s being blocked. They trade rights in close as the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Araujo, 20-18 Araujo overall

ROUND THREE: Araujo still moving well, De La Rosa showing the lead hand. More jabs from both women, then Araujo lands another calf kick. De La Rosa lands a left hook and clinches but Araujo pushes her off. They trade jabs again. Both women miss punches in the pocket. Body shot from Araujo. Stiff jab from Araujo. De La Rosa keeps trying to uppercut in close but she’s missing most of those. Another body shot from Araujo. Araujo lands an overhand right. More jabs from Araujo, she always dips when she throws that and De La Rosa could time a head kick or knee and punish her. They wind up clinched now, Araujo lands a right as they break. Another right from Araujo, De La Rosa with a couple of blows then a right from Araujo basically close the round.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Araujo, 30-27 Araujo overall

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Viviane Araujo via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27 x2)

There might be an argument for De La Rosa in the second, commentary was certainly stumping for her, but I thought Araujo had all three. Mic time for Araujo, she dedicates the win to her grandmother who passed away this year. She wanted to dominate every aspect of the fight, then puts over De La Rosa as a tough opponent. Asked about the future she wants to fight again this year in December or so but has no name that she gives.

Brian Kelleher has gone 2-1 in his last three fights but he’s coming off of a loss and is looking to avoid another losing streak. Ray Rodriguez weighed in as an alternate for this fight, which would up being a good thing as Kevin Natividad (himself a replacement for Ricky Simon) had to be pulled for undisclosed reasons. Rodrgiuez is 3-1 in his last four fights and now has a chance to make a good first impression despite the very adverse circumstances. Kellleher is the -310 favorite to +255 for Rodriguez.

Featherweight Bout: Brian Kelleher (21-11, 146 lbs.) vs. Ray Rodriguez (16-6, 145 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Rodriguez is an inch taller and has five inches of reach on Kelleher. They touch gloves to get us going. Some stance switching from Kelleher as they try to get a feel for the fight. Both men probing with kicks, then Rodriguez tries a double leg but Kelleher jumps on a guillotine and forces the tap.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Brian Kelleher via Submission, guillotine choke at :39 of, Round 1

The First Round Finish Club thanks Mr. Kelleher for his work this evening. Fun fact, that was our first UFC finish in 8 fights. Mic time for Kelleher who notes the pressure due to the changes in opponents and thanks his opponent for taking the fight. He mentions that his guillotine is very good, then says he’s been a company guy so far and wants another fight this year at either featherweight or bantamweight.

Check this out. Rodriguez goes for a double leg but not only leaves his head and neck exposed on the outside but as Kelleher jumps for the choke he uses the fence to further limit the defensive options of Rodriguez.

Andre Muniz is on a five fight winning streak that includes a successful UFC debut last year, he’s trying to extend that streak while making the difficult transition from prospect to contender. Bartosz Fabinski has gone 4-1 in the UFC and is coming off of a win, he’s hoping to get another winning streak going and start moving up in the ranks. The odds are with Fabinski at -150 to +130 for Muniz.

Middleweight Bout: Bartosz Fabinski (15-3, 184.5 lbs.) vs. Andre Muniz (19-4, 185.5 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Muniz is an inch taller and has three inches of reach over Fabinski. They touch gloves to get us going, Muniz fighting southpaw. Fabinski pushing forward early, they wind up on the fence and he’s looking for a takedown. Muniz is trying to defend, Fabinski with some short punches. Some more short blows go back and forth as they settle into the clinch. Muniz is defending but can’t get out of the clinch. Muniz jumps for a guillotine as Fabinski spun him off the fence, he’s selling out squeezing for it but Fabinski seems calm and gets his head free. High guard for Muniz and he locks up an awkward armbar but it almost immediately gets a tap from Fabinski.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Andre Muniz via Submission, armbar, at 2:42 of Round 1

The First Round Finish Club thanks Mr. Muniz for his work this evening. Mic time for Muniz after that sneaky armbar, he mentions how hard he worked for this and how much time he’s been away from his family ahead of this. He mentions being a little surprised at how willing Fabinski was to grapple with him, then talks us through the finish.

If you’ve ever wondered why one of the training refrains in grappling on top is “don’t put your hands on the mat” this is an example of why. Muniz passes his left leg around the arm of Fabinski to threaten the triangle choke, then when Fabinski tries to circle to defend that he leaves his arm completely exposed. Look how deep that is if you can from this angle, Fabinski’s forearm is in the armpit of Muniz, there’s no getting out of that it’s just tap or the arm snaps.

Michel Pereira is coming off of one of the more embarrassing losses you’ll see when he spent nearly three rounds battering Diego Sanchez before hitting him with an illegal knee and getting disqualified. Now on a losing streak Pereira needs a win because even with his generally entertaining style a three fight losing streak could badly stall his career. Zelim Imadaev has gone 0-2 in the UFC and now has his back against the wall as going 0-3 to start your UFC run tends to spell the end of it. The odds like Pereira at -120 to +100 for Imadaev.

Welterweight Bout: Zelim Imadaev (8-2, 171 lbs.) vs. Michel Pereira (23-11 1 NC, 170.5 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Pereira is an inch taller while Imadaev has three inches of reach advantage. Imadaev is feinting forward, Pereira working the jab. Bit of a left from Pereira. Pereira lands a right. Imadaev with a bit of a left. Pereira avoids a right hand. Neither man has a feel for things yet. Front kick from Pereira lands to the body. Imadaev lands a hard right but Pereira lands a hard counter knee. Pereira lands a body shot. Right from Pereira lands flush. Pereira attempts a Showtime kick, nothing doing in terms of actually landing though. Jab and a front kick to the body from Pereira. Imadaev is a little frozen when Pereira starts throwing, like he doesn’t have a feel for the speed or timing. Pereira lands a glancing right but it dropped Imadaev for a moment. Imadaev back up, and he eats a spinning back kick to the body. Another right from Pereira lands flush. Pereira lands a front kick to the body. Bit of a leg kick from Imadaev as Pereira was dancing, Pereira lands a punch as the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Pereira, might be a 10-8 argument in there

ROUND TWO: Pereira lands a right, but eats a bit of a counter right. Another front kick to the body from Pereira. The speed differential is killing Imadaev thus far, he needs a feel for the timing to try and deal with that. Pereira misses a capoeira kick. More front kicks from Pereira, then they trade left hooks. Bit of a right from Pereira then he misses a rolling thunder kick. Both men miss punches, then Pereira lands a front kick. Imadaev forces a clinch, Pereira lands a knee to the body then eats an uppercut as they break. Pereira avoids a combination then lands a bit of a right. Pereira lands a left to the body. Another right from Pereira, he’s splitting Imadaev’s timing with that punch. They trade lefts, then a right from Pereira closes the round.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Pereira, 20-18 Pereira overall

ROUND THREE: Imadaev misses a leg kick, Pereira lands a couple of jabs to punish him. More kicks from Pereira, he’s dictating everything about this fight so far. Jab and a right from Pereira. They trade rights and Pereira unloads with knees to the body and rights as Imadaev backs along the fence. Left from Pereira. Pereira lands a right, more of a slap than a punch there. Imadaev misses some punches, he still doesn’t have a feel for the range and he’s limited his offense to punching thus far which is just making his life harder. Pereira landing kicks to the leg while circling. Right from Periera, Imadaev lands a couple of counters but Pereira is still stalking him. Pereira is still stabbing the body with front kicks. Jabs from Pereira, bit of a front kick from Imadaev but his offense isn’t having much impact. They posture a bit at each other, Pereira lands some rights. Leg kick from Imadaev. They clinch, Pereira gets a German suplex, gets the back and locks in a choke and the ref stops things I assume Imadaev gave it up but didn’t see it.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Michel Pereira via Submission, rear naked choke, at 4:39 of Round 3

The Final Round Finish Club thanks Mr. Pereira for his work this evening. I didn’t see much of a tap on the replay, will need a better look. Mic time for Pereira after that, he’s happy and is glad to have delivered on his promised show. He says he was ready for the fight to be anywhere in the cage and is happy to dance wherever the music plays. He talks us through the finish, then says he wants a fight with Jorge Masvidal next. Unlikely to materialize next but take your shot I guess.

There was a real argument for 10-8’s in all three rounds for Pereira, then he pulls this out. Nice suplex from Pereira, then he jumps for the choke immediately and gets the tap. Watch the right hand of Imadaev, that’s what looks like it taps on his own head to give it up. Not the best tap ever but I can at least kind of see why the ref acted that way.

Ovince Saint Preux has gone just 1-3 in his last four fights and is coming off of a failed fight up at heavyweight, he’s back at light heavyweight this time and needs a win rather badly if he’s ever going to make a return trip to to the title scene. Alonzo Menifield has gone 2-1 in the UFC but is coming off of a loss, despite that he’s in a fairly big spot here as a win over Saint Preux would be the biggest of his career by a wide margin. The odds are close but lean Menifield at -130 to an even +110 for Saint Preux.

Light Heavyweight Bout: Alonzo Menifield (9-1, 204 lbs.) vs. Ovince Saint Preux (24-14, 205.5 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Saint Preux is three and a half inches taller and has four inches of reach over Menifield. Southpaw for Saint Preux. Menifield comes out swinging, misses bu the also avoids a clinch. Menifield circling. Saint Preux misses a left, and eats a left hook. Saint Preux lands a left. Another straight left from Saint Preux. Menifield lands a left hook. They clinch up and hit the fence. A right from Menifield as they break lands. Saint Preux lands a body kick. Menifield has a head kick blocked. Left from Saint Preux lands, that straight punch is catching Menifield and splitting his guard almost every time. Saint Preux keeps showing a front kick to help him maintain range. Right from Menifield lands. Bit of a left from Menifield to counter a kick. Menifield lands a right to the body. Saint Preux lands another front kick to the body, then Menifield with a couple of hooks in close as the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Menifield but I’m not sure how accurate that is, close round

ROUND TWO: Saint Preux front kicking again, this time Menifield is countering with his right hand more. Both men still circling and single shotting their offense. Saint Preux lands a straight left. Menifield lands a bit of a calf kick. This is a more sedate round than even the first, which wasn’t exactly a barn burner. More long distance kicks from Saint Preux, Menifield’s counter game has gone the way of the dodo. Saint Preux lands another front kick to the body. Right from Saint Preux lands. They trade lefts, Menifield coming forward but misses a few hooks. A right from Menifield off balances Saint Preux. Saint Preux eats a body shot but lands a counter left and Menifield is OUT.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Ovince Saint Preux via KO, punch, at 4:07 of Round 2

Brutal KO from Saint Preux. Saint Preux gets an interview after that, and he starts by saying that he needs a bonus after that one. He talks about his training and how hard it’s been and that he got to see it play off. He talks us through the finish, noting he does well going backwards. Asked about what’s next for him he wants to fight before the end of the year and doesn’t care who it’s against it.

Watch this one. Menifield has to lunge forward to get close enough, Saint Preux is far enough away from the fence to slip backwards then after Menifield lands a right to the body he brings it back to his hip instead of his chin which left his chin wide open for the Saint Preux counter.

Alistair Overeem is one of the premier heavyweights of his era and has been fighting since 1999. The man has won a bevy of titles in his MMA and kickboxing career but the UFC title has eluded him to this point, now forty years of age if Overeem is going to make another run at the UFC title he has to avoid a loss here. Augusto Sakai is on a six fight winning streak including four in the UFC, if he can best Overeem here it will be the biggest win of his career and he could find himself in the title scene sooner rather than later. Overeem is your -165 favorite to +145 for Sakai.

Heavyweight Bout: #6 Alistair Overeem (46-18 1 NC, 252.5 lbs.) vs. #9 Augusto Sakai (15-1-1, 261.5 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Overeem is an inch taller and has three inches of reach over Sakai. They touch gloves, Overeem opens orthodox but has been known to switch his stance. Some hand fighting early while they try to get a feel for each other. Sakai switching his stance a bit now as well. Both men land rights off of an Overeem blitz. Front kick to the body from Overeem. Overeem avoids a hook. Bit of a right from Overeem. Sakai lands a front kick to the body and looks to swarm Overeem in the clinch. Both men with knees in the clinch. Right from Sakai, Overeem lands another knee to the body. Knee from Sakai as they break. Bit of a jab from Overeem. Overeem lands a right that staggers Sakai for a second. Sakai lands a right uppercut. Sakai swarms forward but Overeem blocks most of it. Front kick to the body from Overeem. Overeem lands an inside leg kick and avoids a hook as the round closes.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Sakai

ROUND TWO: They touch gloves again. Overeem back to inside leg kicks, he might be onto something there. Sakai misses another hook. Combination from Sakai in close, mostly blocked again but he’s working. Overeem with a left hook then a knee to the body. Sakai has some offense blocked. Overeem lands a left to the body and we’ve got another clinch. Knee from Overeem as Sakai gets free. Sakai avoids a rush and unloads onto the guard of Overeem before they clinch up. Knee from Overeem as he spins Sakai to the fence. More knees from Overeem as they jockey for position. Those knees from Overeem are adding up, then he lands a bit of an elbow. Both men land knees now, Overeem lands a left. Short elbows from Sakai now. They break without incident, Sakai is cut around the left eyebrow, not badly though. Another clinch, and that’s where the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Overeem, 19-19 overall

ROUND THREE: They touch gloves. Leg kick from Overeem then a right hand. Front kick to the body from Overeem. Sakai has a flurry blocked. Overeem lands a left, Sakai lands a right. Front kick from Overeem, Sakai with a few punches to the body. Sakai lands a right uppercut as Overeem gets a clinch. Knee from Overeem and Sakai gets free. Combination from Sakai, then a knee as Overeem covers up. More punches from Sakai, Overeem lands a knee to the body. They break without issue. Overeem with another front kick to the gut. Bit of a leg kick from Sakai and he gets a clinch. Both men with knees while they fight for position. Overeem gets a trip takedown and starts landing punches from top position. Sakai is trying to keep Overeem off of him, but he can’t get back up when Overeem is standing over him. Bit of an elbow from Overeem as he goes into the guard again. Body shots from Overeem then some hammer fists. Overeem to side control now, Sakai is bleeding badly as the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Overeem but a close one, 29-28 Overeem overall

ROUND FOUR: There’s a second cut on Sakai now, it’s on the same eyebrow but it’s now around the bridge of the nose. Overeem lands a jab. Sakai circling, Overeem with another jab. Calf kick from Overeem. Sakai punches forward but it’s mostly blocked. Sakai thinks about a clinch, decides against it and avoids a right. Overeem lands a body kick. Sakai gets close and looks to unload but again Overeem blocks and waits him out. Body shot from Overeem. Sakai lands an elbow, now Overeem is bleeding from the hairline. Spinning back kick from Overeem, that landed to the groin so we’ve got time. Replay confirms the low blow. Sakai can continue and we’re back to fighting. Front kick from Overeem lands. Sakai lands a couple of calf kicks. Overeem hits a takedown into guard and looks to unload again. Punches to the body and head from Overeem while Sakai tries to get his guard in place. Overeem lands a right. Sakai tries to kick him off but can’t get up and Overeem is back on top. Overeem into leg drag position and unloads. Sakai to his knees, Overeem into the ride spot and lands more rights and lefts. Sakai to his back, Overeem with more punches and he moves to half guard. More offense from Overeem. Elbows from Overeem, Sakai’s face is kind of a mess but he’ll see the end of the round at least.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Overeem, 39-37 Overeem overall

ROUND FIVE: Quick double leg from Overeem and he’s got Sakai down almost immediately. Elbows from Overeem and the ref waves this one off.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Alistair Overeem via TKO, elbows, at :26 of Round 5

The Final Round Finish Club thanks Mr. Overeem for his work this evening. Mic time for Overeem after that, he puts over Sakai as a tough up and comer but he was well prepared and he got it done at the age of 40. He knew Sakai had a good chin so he wasn’t going to go too crazy early but did feel the finish would present itself as the fight continued. He says he was never really hurt in the fight. Asked about his future, he doesn’t know specifically but wants a bit of a break after the latest camp but does imagine his next fight coming either at the end of this year or the start of next.

On that note UFC on ESPN+ 34 comes to an end. Thank heavens for that main event, it wound up being a little compelling as the fight went on. We’ll unpack all of the action from this event Sunday on the 411 Ground and Pound MMA Podcast plus we’ll look ahead to UFC on ESPN+ 35 when our new main event of Angela Hill vs. Michelle Waterson will go down. Thanks again everyone for reading, I’ll be back next week for that event and I hope you will as well. Until then stay safe out there and keep checking 411mania for all of your pop culture needs.

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