JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Walt Harris misplaced his first UFC battle because the loss of life of his stepdaughter.
Alistair Overeem stopped Harris within the second spherical of UFC’s Struggle Night time principal occasion Saturday, ending what was an emotional return for the heavyweight fighter referred to as The Massive Ticket.
Harris was a slight favourite and the sentimental selection as he entered the octagon for the primary time since his 19-year-old daughter, Aniah Blanchard, was killed in Alabama.
Harris (13-8) pointed to the sky whereas displaying off a “Combating for Aniah” T-shirt as he walked into the world. It appeared he would notch his 14th profession knockout when he dropped Overeem within the opening spherical. However the veteran regrouped on the eve of his 41st birthday and dominated the remainder of the best way. Overeem (46-18) despatched Harris to the mat for the ultimate time with an unblocked mixture early within the second.
Harris by no means recovered, and the referee known as it after a bevy of unanswered photographs to the top. Overeem shared a second with Harris on the mat.
Harris thanked the UFC, his workforce and his group whereas preventing again tears.
“I’m sorry I didn’t get the W for you tonight,” Harris mentioned. “You’ve been like my household via every little thing, and I’m so grateful. … Y’all at residence watching, I’m sorry. I’ll be again higher, I promise you. You haven’t seen the final of The Massive Ticket. I’m going to go residence, get better. I’m going to heal emotionally and bodily, and I promise you I’ll be higher.”
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Harris’ spouse inspired him to return to the octagon after greater than six months of grieving.
Blanchard, a scholar at Alabama, was final seen October 23 at a fuel station in Auburn, Alabama. Her SUV was discovered deserted days later greater than 50 miles (90 kilometers) away at an condominium advanced in Montgomery. Police mentioned her blood was discovered within the automotive. Her stays have been found in a wooded space in late November.
Ibraheem Yazeed, 29, was charged with capital homicide. The medical expert decided Blanchard died from a gunshot wound.
Prosecutors have indicated they are going to search the loss of life penalty if Yazeed is convicted. Two others have been charged with hindering the investigator or serving to Yazeed eliminate proof.
Harris and Overeem served as the primary occasion for the UFC’s third present in Jacksonville in eight days, all a part of the collection’ return following an eight-week hiatus amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The UFC will take the subsequent two weeks off earlier than preventing Could 30. It hopes to return to Las Vegas, however first wants clearance from the Nevada Athletic Fee.
Different fights on the primary card:
— Claudia Gadelha (18-4) held off Angela Hill (12-8) within the strawweight division and gained a break up resolution. Hill managed the tempo, making it extra of a sparring bout than a grappling sport, however Gadelha bought the nod on two of the three scorecards.
— Dan Ige (14-2) edged Edson Barboza (20-9) in one other break up resolution. Ige’s sixth straight victory got here within the featherweight division. Barboza reduce 10 kilos to maneuver down a weight class.
— Krzysztof Jotko (22-4) beat former Alabama linebacker Eryk Anders (13-5) in a middleweight bout. Jotko did slightly breakdown in the midst of the octagon after the unanimous resolution. It was Jotko’s third consecutive victory.
— Music Yadong withstood Marlon Vera’s final push within the opening battle of the primary card and gained a unanimous resolution within the featherweight division. Vera (17-6-1) refused to shake fingers with Music (5-0-1) after the consequence was introduced. Music, of China, had visa points and wasn’t positive he would have the ability to battle till Friday.
On the undercard:
— Miquel Baeza (9-0) notched his seventh knockout in 9 fights to stay unbeaten within the welterweight division. He took down 39-year-old Matt Brown (22-17) early within the second spherical.
— Kevin Holland (17-5) secured a 39-second knockout in opposition to Anthony Hernandez (7-2) within the middleweight division.
— Giga Chikadze repeatedly pounded Irwin Rivera with kicks, benefiting from his dimension benefit to win a unanimous flyweight resolution. Chikadze (10-2) was on crutches following his fifth consecutive victory. Rivera (9-5) was a last-minute substitute for Mike Davis, who was faraway from the cardboard Thursday after struggling issues related to chopping weight. Davis is the Titan FC bantamweight champion and was capable of drive up from Miami on quick discover.
— Nate Landwehr bloodied Darren Elkins within the opening spherical and dominated the remainder of the best way, profitable a unanimous flyweight resolution that was simply the bloodiest bout in any of the three UFC occasions held in Jacksonville. Landwehr (14-3) showboated all through the battle and even put his proper hand behind his again at one level. It was his eighth victory in 9 fights. Elkins has dropped 4 straight.
“The blood was in my mouth. I used to be making an attempt to spit it out,” Landwehr mentioned. “Man, that was an excellent one.”
— Cortney Casey completed Mara Borrello with an armbar within the first spherical, Casey’s first submission since 2016 and her first battle in 15 months. Borrello (12-8) screamed as Casey (9-7) put stress on her left elbow.
— Rodrigo Nascimento (8-0) gained his UFC debut and remained undefeated in his MMA profession together with his sixth submission, this one in opposition to fellow heavyweight Don’Story Mayes. Nascimento stopped Mayes (6-4) within the second spherical of the night time’s opening battle with a rear bare choke maintain.