Great finish. Awful first 3 rounds from JR but he got better as the fight went on.
Not a fun fight overall though, but big win for JR. He's got lots of work to do, though.
4-0 overeem on all 3 cards
Fight game brutal
I could be wrong on this, but I don't think the ref is supposed to stop a fight based on a cut. That's why they have doctors. A ref can pause the fight to have a doctor look at a cut, but he shouldn't end it. A ref is only supposed to end the fight because a fighter isn't protecting themselves or taps. Overeem was still protecting himself IMO by trying to get back up (thanks in large part to Rozenstruik not following up the knock down). I don't know. It was a very strange ending.That was a horrible fight until the last punch. I was so confused and my only guess is the ref instantly stopped it once he saw the lip and Rozen realized it. Pumped for next week
I don't really know what to think about the stoppage. Basically it was a huge mistake by JR not to follow-up but he got bailed out.
I actually don't really know if Overeem was defending himself after the knockdown. He got up which was probably just instinct but didn't look all there. I actually assume that's why Dan stopped the fight, not due to the cut.
Thoughts on the ref telling Struve that he was likely winning the fight, and that to quit would result in a No Contest?
To me, I don't think the ref should be giving his opinion, or trying to influence a fighter's decision in that situation
Big Dan said it would have been a NC if he couldn't continue. I could be wrong on this one, too, but I believe neither fighter gets the win bonus if it is a NC. Since Struve was likely winning (especially with the point deduction), I think he continued so he could have a shot at his win bonus. For him, there was no difference between a NC and a loss, so why not try to survive and get the win bonus? Dan should have DQ'ed Rothwell IMO.He probably shouldn’t have done that, I don’t think it influenced Struve though. I think the crowd did more than anything
Definitely shouldn’t have continued though. You could tell after the second one he was REALLY uncomfortable trying to continue in the fight
Definitely seems out of bounds for a ref, but if my understanding above is right, then I think he was trying to do him a favor. He shouldn't have done it, but it's not something that he should be crucified over either IMO.Thoughts on the ref telling Struve that he was likely winning the fight, and that to quit would result in a No Contest?
To me, I don't think the ref should be giving his opinion, or trying to influence a fighter's decision in that situation
I think it depends on when Dan actually waived it off, but I don't see how Dan didn't mess it up.I don't really know what to think about the stoppage. Basically it was a huge mistake by JR not to follow-up but he got bailed out.
I actually don't really know if Overeem was defending himself after the knockdown. He got up which was probably just instinct but didn't look all there. I actually assume that's why Dan stopped the fight, not due to the cut.
Now I want him vs Lewis.
I feel like Francis wants ANYBODY. Volkov was just the highest ranked guy that was an option for one reason or another. I think after getting called out and the news making finish, Francis is going to end up fighting Rozenstruik.So fleshing out the HW division, we've got:
Miocic v DC (TBD)
Blaydes v JDS (January)
Derrick Lewis v Latifi (February)
That leaves Ngannou, Volkov, and Rozenstruik as top ten guys who need fights. You might be able to add Walt Harris in there as well depending on when he's coming back. I know Ngannou has been asking for Volkov so that still makes some sense. Kind of leaves Rozenstruik on the sidelines for now, but things change quickly so who knows.