UFC 169 results, photos: Alistair Overeem batters Frank Mir, calls out Brock Lesnar

NEWARK, N.J. – Heavyweights Alistair Overeem and Frank Mir fought for their survival in the UFC, and after three rounds, Overeem’s conservative attack kept his octagon career alive.

Overeem stayed out of danger while punishing Mir on the ground to pitch a shutout on judges’ scorecards.

The heavyweight bout was part of the main card of today’s UFC 169 event at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. It aired on pay-per-view following prelims on FOX Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass.

Mir showed improvement from previous fights, where his opponents trapped him against the cage and battered him en route to a stoppage. But Overeem’s power still exacted a heavy toll, as he landed a knee in the clinch that sent the ex-UFC champ tumbling to the canvas.

In a savage move, Overeem trapped Mir’s left hand behind his head and pounded away with right hands and elbows. Mir took a beating, but survived.

Overeem played it safe in the ensuing rounds, approaching cautiously before clinching and taking top position on the mat, where he patiently worked ground and pound. Mir repeatedly worked for submission angles, but was stymied before he could secure a limb or neck to crank.

A takedown for Mir netted his clearest chance to win the fight when he secured a guillotine on Overeem. But Overeem simply popped his neck out, and continued racking up points from top position.

Within 45 seconds of the third frame, Mir was on his back once again, taking punishment. A crushing left hand slammed into his head midway through the round, and upon a standup, his face leaked blood.

Overeem afterward admitted to playing the point game in order to get the win, and attempted to rouse the audience by calling out Brock Lesnar, who’s return to the UFC is rumored.

“I proved to everybody I’m back tonight,” Overeem said. “Frank is a very experienced fighter. His game plan was to take me down, but I’m a well-rounded fighter, too, so I dominated him. This victory has motivated me a lot to go back to the gym and get ready for fighting again.”

Overeem (37-13 MMA, 2-2 UFC) returns to the win column following back-to-back losses, while Mir (16-9 MMA, 14-9 UFC) has lost four straight fights and likely faces a pink slip.

Up-to-the-minute UFC 169 results include:

• Alistair Overeem def. Frank Mir via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Ali Bagautinov def. John Lineker via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Abel Trujillo def. Jamie Varner via knockout (punch) – Round 2, 2:32
• Alan Patrick def. John Makdessi via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
• Chris Cariaso def. Danny Martinez via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Nick Catone def. Tom Watson via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
• Al Iaquinta def. Kevin Lee via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-27)
• Clint Hester def. Andy Enz via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
• Rashid Magomedov def. Tony Martin via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Neil Magny def. Gasan Umalatov via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

For complete coverage of UFC 169, stay tuned to the UFC Events section of the site.

John Morgan and Matt Erickson contributed to this report on-site in Newark.