Pros react to Alistair Overeem stopping Aleksei Oleinik

A key heavyweight tilt between perennial division contenders Alistair Overeem and Aleksei Oleinik headlined today’s UFC event in Russia.

Overeem entered tonight’s main event looking to build on the momentum of a first-round TKO victory he scored this past November in Beijing.

Meanwhile, Aleksei Oleinik was coming off back to back submission wins over Mark Hunt and Junior Albini.

Today’s UFC St. Petersburg main event was a back and forth affair while it lasted.

Oleinik was able to get the early momentum after clipping Overeem with a punch that had “The Reem” in all sorts of trouble.

However, Alistair would eventually recover and then utilized some nasty knees from the clinch to turn the tide.

Eventually, Alistair Overeem would catch Alexey Oleinik with a knee that sent the Russian crashing to the canvas. Overeem would follow up with some ground and pound which forced the referee to step in and stop the fight.

Check out how the pros reacted to Alistair Overeem’s big win below:

Get the full fight recap below:

Round one begins and Overeem and Oleinik clinch early. The fight hits to the floor with Overeem on top but in Oleinik’s dangerous guard. Overeem gets back to his feet. He lands a head kick followed by a knee. Overeem clinches up and scores a trip. Oleinik is back up and charges in with some big loopy punches. Oleinik connects with a big shot. He is trying to get the TKO but Overeem is covering up well. Overeem gets off the cage and resets. A big knee from Overeem lands. Oleinik with some hard body shots. Another big knee scores for Overeem. Oleinik returns fire with punches in bunches. Oleinik with a right hand and pushes Overeem against the cage. Alistair circles out and lands two nasty knees. The fighters battle from the clinch. Oleinik with punches but Overeem is getting off with these knees. He sends his opponent to the floor. Some follow up shots and this one is all over.