Everyone knew coming in to UFC Jacksonville Saturday night, the main event would be emotional, win or lose.
#9 Walt Harris was fighting for the first time since the murder of his stepdaughter, Aniah Blanchard last year. In his way was #8 heavyweight, and a legend in Alistair Overeem.
Harris clipped Overeem early in the first and poured on strikes. However, a slip led to Harris on the ground, being pounded away at. Overeem dropped Harris in the first couple of minutes of round two, leaving "The Big Ticket" Harris turtled up, then flattened out eating strikes. The referee called a stop to the fight shortly after, ending the feel-good return of Harris.
After the fight ended, Overeem consoled Harris and asked to train with him.
The night's co-main event saw Angela Hill take #6 Claudia Gadelha to the limit, in a close split decision win for the latter. Hill came into the fight unranked but on a three-fight winning streak. However, 13 of 17 media scores and 82 percent of fans had Hill scored to win the bout, per MMADecisions.
ON THE JAW! -- #UFCFL pic.twitter.com/dIid5nIwHY
— UFC (@ufc) May 17, 2020
#13 Bantamweight Song Yadong took on #14 Bantamweight Marlon Vera at featherweight. With Urijah Faber weighing in as a backup, he wasn't needed, as Yadong continued his hot streak and picked up a unanimous decision win.
Scorecards after two? -- #UFCFL pic.twitter.com/Kq78m7nvhx
— UFC (@ufc) May 17, 2020
#15 Dan Ige welcomed #11 lightweight Edson Barboza to the featherweight division by defeating him in a controversial split decision. The media had scored in favor of Barboza 16 to 2, while almost 83 percent of fans scored the fight for Barboza.
Throwin' ----------!
— UFC (@ufc) May 17, 2020
-- @DynamiteDan808 is coming out aggressive in RD2. #UFCFL pic.twitter.com/rbnqmIotDS
You can see our full, live coverage and results of UFC Jacksonville (again) at this link.
