Overeem rallies to stop Sakai in 5th round of UFC main event

Alistair Overeem defeated Augusto Sakai via TKO at 0:26 of the fifth round in the heavyweight main event of UFC Fight Night on Saturday.

Overeem got off to a slow start at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Sakai got the better of him in the striking department in the first two rounds, rushing forward and landing combinations while the former title challenger backed up against the fence.

However, "The Demolition Man" turned the tables midway through the contest with his veteran savvy. Despite appearing to be tiring, Overeem easily took Sakai down late in the third round and landed ground-and-pound to steal the frame. He returned to his wrestling in the fourth round, brutalizing Sakai with heavy shots - including elbows and hammer fists - on the mat.

Overeem used the same strategy in the fifth, and Sakai had no answer. The 40-year-old got on top of his younger foe and landed a few hard strikes, and referee Herb Dean called off the bout.

With the victory, Overeem extended his winning streak to two. He's 4-1 in his past five fights.

Sakai suffered his first loss since 2017 and second as a professional. The Brazilian is now 4-1 in the Octagon and 15-2-1 overall.