Pro Fighters React to Stipe Miocic vs. Overeem

Last night, in the main event of UFC 203, Cleveland’s Stipe Miocic successfully defended the UFC heavyweight title by burying Alistair Overeem under a torrent of first-round punches. The champ’s incredible win, which saw him survive several savage Overeem strikes, dazzled not only the fans inside Cleveland’s Quicken Loans Arena, but many of the game’s premier fighters.

Here are some of the most memorable Twitter reactions to Miocic’s huge, hometown win:

Any punch that either 1 of these guys throw stuns one another #UFC203

— Dennis Bermudez (@MenaceBermudez) September 11, 2016

https://twitter.com/Amanda_Leoa/status/774826574537515008

Love that man @stipemiocicufc !!!!!!!!!

— Chris Weidman (@chrisweidman) September 11, 2016

HW division looks like it got drugged before these fights tonight… JMHO Just crazy weird

— Big Ben Rothwell (@RothwellFighter) September 11, 2016

https://twitter.com/BlessedMMA/status/774826261017272323

https://twitter.com/PaigeVanzantUFC/status/774826246102405120

Damn, KO'd in full-guard. #ufc203

— The Mane Event™ (@EliasTheodorou) September 11, 2016

https://twitter.com/BrianStann/status/774827865946791936

https://twitter.com/FunkMaster_UFC/status/774826432908394496

Congrats @stipemiocicufc looks like the belt stays in the land! @ufc #ufc203

— Corey 'Overtime' Anderson (@CoreyA_MMA) September 11, 2016

Damn!! @stipemiocicufc with a brutal KO!! Congrats brotha!! #ufc203 #andstill

— Joe Ellenberger (@JoeEllenberger) September 11, 2016

Wow. Congrats @stipemiocicufc he's gonna be out for awhile!

— Michael Johnson (@Menace155) September 11, 2016

That FIGHT!!! What a show by @stipemiocicufc Overeem fought very well but Stipe would NOT be denied. #UFC203

— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) September 11, 2016

Congratulations @stipemiocicufc !!!!! @UFC #ufc203 #birthdaytwin #boundforgreatness #Champion

— Julianna Peña (@VenezuelanVixen) September 11, 2016

Awesome performance by Stipe!!!!

— Funky (@Benaskren) September 11, 2016

In his post-fight interview with UFC color commentator Joe Rogan, the vanquished Alistair Overeem asserted that he felt Miocic tap during a brief guillotine attempt in the early moments of the fight. Rogan then challenged Overeem, who had just been peeled off the canvas, to review a big-screen replay of the submission attempt and identify this alleged tap. Unsurprisingly, this incredibly awkward moment generated plenty of interesting fighter reactions of its own. You can see some of those reactions below.

https://twitter.com/One_Punch/status/774828336715411457

Hahaha @joerogan just roasted #AlistairOvereem #ufc203

— Dennis Bermudez (@MenaceBermudez) September 11, 2016

Awwwww Reem…. Come on bruh. pic.twitter.com/19Z7GHFj6v

— Will Brooks (@ILLxWillBrooks) September 11, 2016

Joe Rogan just buried Overeem damn What an odd night

— Big Ben Rothwell (@RothwellFighter) September 11, 2016

"Nah, hold on. I want you to defend ur point. Lets take a look at the tape again. Show where he tapped Sway? How he tap Sway?? How?"#UFC203

— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) September 11, 2016

Aight Joe, we get it… He didn't tap. Lol. He already got his dreams crushed. Let the man have an out. #UFC203

— James Krause (@TheJamesKrause) September 11, 2016

https://twitter.com/ALIAQUINTA/status/774828131140198404

And finally, a representative from Overeem’s camp took to Twitter to assure that the former Strikeforce, Dream and K-1 heavyweight champion would be back in spite of the loss.

Thanks to everyone for support tonight at #UFC203. As @Alistairovereem said, back to the drawing board! We'll be back.
– Posted by #TeamAO

— Alistair Overeem (@Alistairovereem) September 11, 2016

What did you think of Miocic’s vicious knockout of Overeem? Did it excite you as much as it excited the fighters above? Sound off, PENN nation!