Walt Harris vs Alistair Overeem
17th May 0600hrs
MMA – USA – UFC
Pick Walt Harris Round 2
Bookmaker Bet365
Odds: 5/1 odds taken 17:56 GMT, Friday 15th May
This is the feature fight of UFC Fight Night 172. This fight comes from the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Florida. It is behind closed doors as has all of the UFC action been over the last week or so.
Table of Contents
Harris fighting on
Tragedy befell Walt Harris’s family less than 12 months ago with the loss of his stepdaughter. But the American is continuing to fight and this will be his first time back in the Octagon since beating Aleksei Oleinik in July last year.
This fight against Overeem was originally scheduled for December last year, but Harris pulled out as there was an ongoing search for his missing step-daughter.
The career record of Walt Harris is 13-2 and he is unbeaten in four. Harris is one of the more mobile fighters in the heavyweight divisions and is therefore, likely to be a little more nimble on his feet.
Each of the 13 career wins that Harris has taken, have all been completed via knockout. So this may not get the distance. A victory in this one could propel him up the ladder towards a championship fight.
Does he have the knockout power to stop Overeem? A standing fight will suit Harris better. So that is a little intangible to consider. When it comes to straight striking power, he might. If he gets taken down the mat, he may be at a disadvantage.
Can Overeem find the gaps?
Arguably there isn’t a better striker than Overeem in this heavyweight division. He can stand there and pick and grind away at opponents with his diverse style and ability.
The one weakness in the overall style of the Dutchman is focus. He is not always dialled in and he did throw away his last fight.
He was well ahead against Jairzinho Rozenstruik in the dying seconds, but he let his opponent get a fight-finishing punch through.
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Overeem has the ability on the mat, but that’s not his style. The last time that he scored a submission was back in October 2009 against James Thompson.
Walt Harris vs Alistair Overeem Betting Advice
39 year old Alistair Overeem has lost three of his last five fights. You get the feeling looking at this one is that if The Demolition Man can’t finish this in the first round through his striking skills, he’s going down.
Key Facts – Walt Harris vs Alistair Overeem Betting Tip
- Walt Harris’s 13 career wins have been by KO
- Walt Harris has not fought since July 2019
- Alistair Overeem has lost three of his last five bouts
This will be a big test for Harris after the terrible tragedy that befell his family. But he is the better fighter of the two without question and has the better striking defence of the two.
So that leads us leaning towards the favourite finishing this. It’s unlikely to go the distance so Walt Harris in Round 2.
The best betting odds for Walt Harris vs Alistair Overeem
Walt Harris to win: 12/1 at Bet365
Draw: 13/5 at Bet365
Alistair Overeem: 10/11 at Bet365
