Alistair Overeem defeats Roy Nelson UFC 185

DALLAS – Alistair Overeem pummeled Roy Nelson’s body and slipped away from his haymakers en route to a unanimous decision victory. It was a sharp, tactical performance that saw Overeem (39-14 MMA, 4-3 UFC) survive a late knockdown to hold on for the win over a battered and weathered Nelson (20-11 MMA, 7-7 UFC), taking home a trio of 30-27 scores.The fight started quite slowly as the two men felt each other out, and it took 50 seconds for Overeem to finally do anything. But once he got going, he really put it on Nelson over the course of the first round. Basically he used three weapons - oblique kicks, outside leg kicks, and knees. Lots, and lots of knees. Nelson cornered him once and beat him up a bit, but it was his only meaningful offense of the round.Herb Dean is the ref. Heavyweights following up the flyweights. Could be quick. They touch gloves. Reem in the orthodox stance. Oblique kick to the thigh from Overeem. Nelson trying to wade into striking range, half-protecting his head, trying to get inside the 8-inch reach advantage. Big overhand right from Nelson, doesn't get in flush. Overeem with a leg kick, and he rolls back out. Nelson tries a body punch, but no mustard on it. Both guys looking to land the anvil, and Nelson comes in with with a flurry, landing a left hook. Knee to the body from Overeem, who is content to land and get out, land and get out. Repeat. Overeem picking Nelson apart at range, but now Nelson comes in with a bunch of huge shots on the fence as Overeem covers up. Overeem takes and takes, then returns fire. He's fine! Wow. Now a big leg kick momentarily doubles over Nelson, who staggers on fence. His leg is already a mess, with a welt forming. Body shot from Overeem, and just as Nelson goes low Overeem lands a knee to his upper-chest.Nelson a little unsteady on his feet, his lead leg getting brutalized. Big right hand from Overeem, and his mouthpiece comes flying out! But Overeem doesn't fall. Instead he coolly lands a body kick, and another. Same game plan for the Jackson-Winkeljohn fighter. Nelson is tough, man. He is trying to size Overeem up to land something big. Just as Nelso nwinds up, Overeem peels out of there and does a hot lap around cage, to the immense displeasure of the Dallas crowd. Overeem with a takedown attempt, which works somewhat but Nelson bounces back up. It's Nelson holding center. Knee to the body from Overeem, and he eats a right hand up top for his efforts. Oblique kick from Overeem on Nelson's lead leg. Nelson caught Overeem again as he went for a takedown and nearly landed a huge blow after defending the take down. Overeem seemed to regain his composure and landed a series of kicks to Nelson’s body. Nelson got Overeem against the cage and landed some big blows to his midsection. Overeem landed an overhand and a kick to open the round, though the better part of the first minute was spent jockeying for position. Overeem dropped Nelson with a rather vicious knee to the groin that caused a stop in the fight. Nelson went for it when the fight resumed and Overeem looked in trouble. But after landing some good shots, Nelson went for the take down rather ineffectively instead of seizing the opportunity. Overeem landed a huge kick to the head that hurt Nelson. Overeem landed another few kicks to the body. In the final seconds of the round, Nelson landed a big left hand and Overeem wound up with his back on the mat. Nelson couldn’t take advantage and ended up pinning him up against the cage and waiting for the round to end.The win makes it two in a row for Overeem, who now has his first winning streak since coming to the UFC in 2011. Nelson has now lost four of his last five.