Walt Harris loses 1st UFC fight since stepdaughter's death

Walt Harris lost his first UFC fight since death of his stepdaughter. Alistair Overeem stopped Harris in second round of UFC’s Fight Night main event Saturday, ending what was an emotional return for heavyweight fighter kwn as Big Ticket. Harris was a slight favorite and sentimental choice as he entered octagon for first time since his 19-year-old daughter, Aniah Blanchard, was killed in Alabama.

Harris (13-8) pointed to sky while showing off a “Fighting for Aniah” T-shirt as he walked into arena. It appeared he would tch his 14th career kckout when he dropped Overeem in opening round. But veteran regrouped on eve of his 41st birthday and dominated rest of way. Overeem (46-18) sent Harris to mat for final time with an unblocked combination early in second. Harris never recovered, and referee called it after a bevy of unanswered shots to head. Overeem shared a moment with Harris on mat. Harris thanked UFC, his team and his community while fighting back tears.

“I'm sorry I didn't get W for you tonight," Harris said. “You've been like my family through everything, and I'm so grateful. ... Y'all at home watching, I'm sorry. I'll be back better, I promise you. You haven't seen last of Big Ticket. I'm going to go home, recover. I'm going to heal emotionally and physically, and I promise you I'll be better.”

Harris’ wife encourd him to return to octagon after more than six months of grieving. Blanchard, a student at Alabama, was last seen October 23 at a gas station in Auburn, Alabama. Her SUV was found abandoned days later more than 50 miles (90 kilometers) away at an apartment complex in Montgomery. Police said her blood was found in car. Her remains were discovered in a wooded area in late vember. Ibraheem Yazeed, 29, was charged with capital murder. medical examiner determined Blanchard died from a gunshot wound.

Prosecutors have indicated y will seek death penalty if Yazeed is convicted. Two ors have been charged with hindering investigator or helping Yazeed dispose of evidence. Harris and Overeem served as main event for UFC’s third show in Jacksonville in eight days, all part of series’ return following an eight-week hiatus amid coronavirus pandemic. UFC will take next two weeks off before fighting May 30. It hopes to return to Las Vegas, but first needs clearance from Nevada Athletic Commission.

Or fights on main card

• Claudia Gadelha (18-4) held off Angela Hill (12-8) in strawweight division and won a split decision. Hill controlled pace, making it more of a sparring bout than a grappling game, but Gadelha got d on two of three scorecards.
•  Dan Ige (14-2) edged Edson Barboza (20-9) in ar split decision. Ige’s sixth straight victory came in fearweight division. Barboza cut 10 pounds to move down a weight class.
• Krzysztof Jotko (22-4) beat former Alabama linebacker Eryk Anders (13-5) in a middleweight bout. Jotko did a little breakdown in middle of octagon after unanimous decision. It was Jotko’s third consecutive victory.
• Song Yadong withstood Marlon Vera’s last push in opening fight of main card and won a unanimous decision in fearweight division. Vera (17-6-1) refused to shake hands with Song (5-0-1) after result was anunced. Song, of China, had visa issues and wasn’t sure he would be able to fight until Friday.

On undercard

• Miquel Baeza (9-0) tched his seventh kckout in nine fights to remain unbeaten in welterweight division. He took down 39-year-old Matt Brown (22-17) early in second round.
•  Kevin Holland (17-5) secured a 39-second kckout against Anthony Hernandez (7-2) in middleweight division.
• Giga Chikadze repeatedly pounded Irwin Rivera with kicks, taking advant of his size advant to win a unanimous flyweight decision. Chikadze (10-2) was on crutches following his fifth consecutive victory. Rivera (9-5) was a last-minute replacement for Mike Davis, who was removed from card Thursday after suffering complications associated with cutting weight. Davis is Titan FC bantamweight champion and was able to drive up from Miami on short tice.
• Nate Landwehr bloodied Darren Elkins in opening round and dominated rest of way, winning a unanimous flyweight decision that was easily bloodiest bout in any of three UFC events held in Jacksonville. Landwehr (14-3) showboated throughout fight and even put his right hand behind his back at one point. It was his eighth victory in nine fights. Elkins has dropped four straight.
• “ blood was in my mouth. I was trying to spit it out,” Landwehr said. “Man, that was a good one.”
• Cortney Casey finished Mara Borrello with an armbar in first round, Casey’s first submission since 2016 and her first fight in 15 months. Borrello (12-8) screamed as Casey (9-7) put pressure on her left elbow.
• Rodrigo Nascimento (8-0) won his UFC debut and remained undefeated in his MMA career with his sixth submission, this one against fellow heavyweight Don’Tale Mayes. Nascimento stopped Mayes (6-4) in second round of night’s opening fight with a rear naked choke hold.