UFC Fight Night 87 Results: The Real Winners and Losers from Rotterdam
If you like the big boys, UFC Fight Night 87 was for you.
The main and co-main events of the card, which took place in Rotterdam, Netherlands, and aired Sunday afternoon in the United States, featured heavyweight fighters. In the headliner, converted centaur Alistair Overeem clashed with former UFC champion Andrei Arlovski in a bout that could determine the division's next title challenger.
One slot down the slate, Antonio Silva and Stefan Struve weren't knocking on the champion's door quite so loudly, but they still brought the promise of a classically artless, show-stopping heavyweight slobber-knocker.
Come for the heavyweights, stay for a 13-fight card with some interesting matchups and results. As usual, the final stat lines only reveal so much. These are the real winners and losers from UFC Fight Night 87.
For the literal-minded among us, full results appear on the final slide.
Winner: Alistair Overeem
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Alistair Overeem isn't what you'd call a popular figure among his fellow fighters. The Reem often comes off to fans as an arrogant bully figure, but it's more than just a perception. For years, reports have leaked out that Overeem goes out to injure fighters in training and doesn't respect a lot of his colleagues.
Another case in point came when Overeem asked to fight training partner Andrei Arlovski. Arlovski didn't take kindly to said request and has said he'll never train with The Reem again.
Not to mention all that performance-enhancing drugs stuff.
Arlovski was just the latest, then, to call his battle with Overeem a personal one.
No matter.
Arlovski looked good early as he stayed on the outside and darted in for heavy punch combinations. But Overeem shook them off, found his footing and, in the second round, fired off a beautiful, Karate Kid-style back kick that dropped Arlovski and initiated the TKO victory.
"We're going to get that belt Nov. 12 in Madison Square Garden," Overeem told broadcaster Jon Anik in the cage after the fight.
Champ Fabricio Werdum defends his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic next weekend at UFC 198. Overeem, after notching his fourth straight win, seems to be in good position to face the winner.
Loser: Andrei Arlovski
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Heavyweights tend to be early starters. Most of them want to earn the early knockout before their gas tanks catch up to their tank-like bodies.
Such is how it went Sunday for Andrei Arlovski.
"When Arlovski was busy, he was winning," Yahoo Sports MMA analyst Ryan McKinnell noted on Twitter. "When he stood still and gave Overeem time to plan, he got worked."
As his cardio began to wane and the adrenaline wore off, Arlovski slowed, and Overeem took advantage. He put the pressure on, and Arlovski's chin was unable to bail him out.
At age 37 and with 38 fights under his belt, Arlovski exceeded expectations by getting this far. But after Sunday, it seems reasonable to conclude that this is as far as he'll go.
Loser: Antonio Silva
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It was over in 15 seconds.
But if you think about it, it was probably over some time ago.
All credit to Dutchman Stefan Struve, who landed a heavy knee strike right off the bat and finished up with elbows on the ground to polish off Antonio Silva by TKO.
Silva is now 1-5 with one no-contest dating back to 2013. Silva's chin is gone, and he appears to have suffered from, among other things, the UFC's testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) ban, which forced Silva to undergo pituitary surgery for his acromegaly.
It was a sobering display for a guy who has undergone a lot of UFC wars but almost ensured his release Sunday. If the time is right, let's hope he makes the smart decision for his health and walks away from the sport for good.
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Winner: The Iron Lady
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The size and skill difference was immediately apparent here. Anna Elmose was merely a warm body for Germaine de Randamie, who swarmed on the smaller opponent and overwhelmed her for a first-round knockout.
The Iron Lady had her way throughout, and a vicious clinch knee to the body sent Elmose to the ground for good with a little over a minute left in the opening stanza.
Next weekend, Cristiane "Cyborg" Justino finally makes her UFC debut at UFC 198. If she takes care of business against Leslie Smith, one imagines there are plenty of people who would tune in to watch her square off with The Iron Lady.
Loser: Josh Emmett
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Lightweight Josh Emmett stepped in on just four days' notice and waged a close fight with Jon Tuck. In the end, Emmett did enough to take the split decision, running his pro record to 10-0. After this, his UFC debut, he's officially the hot new thing to emerge from Urijah Faber's Team Alpha Male camp.
So why is he listed as a loser?
For the answer, look to the ring finger on Emmett's left hand. Emmett appeared to begin favoring the hand during the fight, and afterward shared a visibly broken hand with the viewing audience. (Was that bone? Yes, indeed it was.) Thanks, buddy!
Check out the NSFW details and images here if you wish. Here's hoping it's a testament to the toughness of the average UFC fighter, not a long-term issue for a promising young fighter.
UFC Fight Night 87 Full Card Results
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Main Card
Alistair Overeem def. Andrei Arlovski by TKO, 1:12, Rd. 2
Stefan Struve def. Antonio Silva by TKO, 0:15, Rd. 1
Gunnar Nelson def. Albert Tumenov by submission (neck crank), 3:15, Rd. 2
Germaine de Randamie def. Anna Elmose by TKO, 3:46, Rd. 1
Nikita Krylov def. Francimar Barroso by submission (rear-naked choke), 3:11, Rd. 2
Karolina Kowalkiewicz def. Heather Jo Clark by unanimous decision
Preliminary Card
Rustam Khabilov def. Chris Wade by unanimous decision
Magnus Cedenblad def. Garreth McLellan by TKO, 0:47, Rd. 2
Josh Emmett def. Jon Tuck by split decision
Reza Madadi def. Yan Cabral by TKO, 1:56, Rd. 3
Kyoji Horiguchi def. Neil Seery by unanimous decision
Leon Edwards def. Dominic Waters by unanimous decision
Ulka Sasaki def. Willie Gates by submission (rear-naked choke), 3:30, Rd. 2
Scott Harris covers MMA for Bleacher Report. For more stuff like this, follow Scott on Twitter.
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