You cannot ask for a better way to ring in the New Year: Brock Lesnar vs Alistair Overeem at UFC 141. Join us for the final and one of the biggest fights of 2011 for the UFC.
The fight will answer many questions, and will determine the man to face new UFC Heavyweight Champion, Junior Dos Santos.
The fight marks Brock Lesnars return to the Octogon following his second bout of diverticulitis and an operation to remove a large part of his colon.
The question remains whether Lesnar is 100% healthy and whether he can return to the heights he was at before his health problems.
What also cannot be forgotten is his destruction at the hands of Cain Velasquez in losing his UFC Heavyweight Title.
The fight showed a big difficiency in Lesnar’s strike defence and he comes up against one of the best strikers in MMA in Alastair Overeem.
Overeem makes his UFC debut after making the move from Strikeforce and is a former Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion.
He is the reigning K1 Grand Prix Champion, and has already compiled a hitlist with the biggest names in the UFC residing on it.
The fight with Lesnar will prove whether he has what it takes to mix it in the big leagues or whether he is overhyped.
Lesnar v Overeem will answer many questions, and is one not to be missed. Join te live blog below.
Michael Waldron
Guest
Answer is yes.
Matt
Guest
I personally feel that Brock's poorer performances have come after his illness. He has become one of the 3 biggest draws in UFC and now I personally am looking forward to seeing Brock back in the WWE.
Stam
Guest
Tough break Brock, would those knees and kicks have hurt you in previous years?
Adam Santarossa
Roar Guru
Brock Lesnar officially retires from the Octagon. Lesnar says he promised his family that he if he lost he would retire and had he won his fight with Dos Santos would have been the last. It's clear though in his last two fights he just doesnt have what it takes to hang with the top heavyweights. He has brought many fans to the sport and has been a massive draw and his arrival is a big factor in the increasing popularity of the UFC
Adam Santarossa
Roar Guru
Overeem wins 2:16 into the first round.
Adam Santarossa
Roar Guru
Lesnar starts of slowly and throws a couple of leg kicks to the amazement of everyone in attendance. Brock throws a fast jab which catches Overeem. Brock seems content to fight at a distance early on, but just as I type he goes for a takedown which Overeem defends nicely. Overeem presses forward and lands a nice knee to the body which seems to have hurt Lesnar. Lesnar shrugs it off though and continues. Overeem not respecting Lesnar's striking as he has his hands low and just moves out of the way with ease at Brocks shots. Overeem comes forward again and hurts Brock another knee to the body. Overeem seems to be cut over the left eye, which would have to have been from that jab in the opening seconds of the fight. Overeem comes forward again and strikes a vicious knee as they clinch. The knee buckles Lesnar who clutches at his midsection and goes down. Overeem swarms on him and it is raining punches. Referee is in to stop it and this one is over!!
Adam Santarossa
Roar Guru
Lesnar out next and typical stone faced Lesnar looks ready for business..
Adam Santarossa
Roar Guru
Main Event up next- It's time!!! Overeem walking to the cage
UFC lover
Guest
For all of us that didn't spend the cash tonight and are intensly following your coverage.....thanks bro!!! Loving the blog!!
Adam Santarossa
Roar Guru
Nate Diaz takes it by unanimous decision- 30-27, 30-27, 29-28
Adam Santarossa
Roar Guru
Cerrone starting to gas in the third, he is tough and hangs in there. continues to use leg kicks on Diaz but he is just not able to stop Diaz swarming on him with flurry after flurry of punches. Diaz looks like he will take all three rounds. Diaz very impressive. Brock and Overeem have a lot to do to take fight of the night off these two.
Adam Santarossa
Roar Guru
All action in the second round, Diaz landing some big shots yet again but Cerrone had a much better round than the first. Diaz lands a big head kick which rocks Cerrone but Diaz falls after connecting just when he has cerrone in trouble. Diaz round.
Adam Santarossa
Roar Guru
First round in the books and Diaz is in control. Using his jab to great effect and really putting his shots together. Cerrone has walked into some big shots and seems to be favouring his jaw. Diaz is simply picking him off at will at the moment
Adam Santarossa
Roar Guru
Up next, Nate Diaz v Donald Cerrone, both of these guys do not like each other and it was very heated at the weigh in..this could get interesting.
The Grafter
Guest
9 seconds? That makes the Jimmy Thunder KO of 13 seconds (inc the count) look like a marathon :)
Adam Santarossa
Roar Guru
WOW!! First punch, night of upsets so far
Adam Santarossa
Roar Guru
Jon Fitch v Johnny Hendrix- Fitch comes in on a six fight UFC winning streak. Bell sounds, and Hendrix lands a massive left hand which knocks out Fitch just nine seconds into the fight. WOW!!! Something about tonight, two fights and both over within the first round.
Adam Santarossa
Roar Guru
Next up, Vladimir Matyushenko vs. Alexander Gustafsson. This one is over just as it begins. Matyushenko walks into a stiff jab from Gustafsson and hits the canvas. Gustafsson jumps on him and hammerfists all round. Referee wastes little time and stops it 2 mins 13 seconds in the very first round.
Adam Santarossa
Roar Guru
First up on the main card, Jimy Hettes decisions Nam Phan. Hettes largely in control for most of the fight, had Phan in big trouble in Round 1 with his ground and pound, also close to a stoppage as the bell rang ending the fight. Hettes is one to watch for the future, thought Phan would have him covered tonight. Hettes by decision ( 30-25, 30-25, 30-26)