UFC 209 results: Alistair Overeem knocks out Mark Hunt, remains in heavyweight title picture

LAS VEGAS – The rematch nearly a decade in the making between Alistair Overeem and Mark Hunt was nothing like their first encounter, except for one thing: Overeem getting his hand raised.

Overeem, who defeated Hunt by first-round submission in 2008, took longer to finish Hunt, though it was impressive no less with a combination of knees that put Hunt to sleep at the 1:44 mark of the third round.

The heavyweight bout opened up the main card of today’s UFC 209 event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. It aired on pay-per-view following prelims on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass.

Coming off a heavyweight title fight loss to Stipe Miocic last September, Overeem (42-15 MMA, 7-4 UFC) made one thing clear after his win tonight.

“We’re not done yet,” Overeem said in his post-fight interview. “We’re back up there, man.”

Hard to argue otherwise after the performance Overeem put on against a tough opponent in Hunt (12-11-1 MMA, 7-5-1 UFC).

During Rounds 1 and 2, Overeem mixed things up quite a bit, incorporating front kicks, jabs and knees into his arsenal. The strikes were effective and efficient, leaving visible damage to Hunt’s face.

Hunt, who said he was “forced” into his UFC 209 fight as he deals with a pending lawsuit against the UFC, had a big moment in the second round when he landed a hard elbow to the chin that staggered Overeem. But Overeem kept his composure and managed to keep the ensuing attack at a minimum with his clench.

The two fighters opened the third round standing toe to toe, though Overeem ran away from Hunt in the first minute, drawing boos from the crowd. It was moments later, up against the cage, that he landed the massive knee to the chin that signaled the end for Hunt.

Up-to-the-minute UFC 209 results include:

• Alistair Overeem def. Mark Hunt via KO (knee) – Round 3, 1:44
• Marcin Tybura def. Luis Henrique via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 3:46
• Darren Elkins def. Mirsad Bektic via TKO (strikes) – Round 3, 3:19
• Iuri Alcantara def. Luke Sanders via submission () – Round X, X:XX
• Mark Godbeer def. Daniel Spitz via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Tyson Pedro def. Paul Craig via TKO (elbows) – Round 1, 4:10
• Albert Morales def. Andre Soukhamthath via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

For complete coverage UFC 209, check out the UFC Events section of the site.

(MMAjunkie’s John Morgan and Mike Bohn contributed to this report on site in Las Vegas.)