Overeem wins trilogy bout over Werdum by majority decision

On Saturday, Alistair Overeem and Fabricio Werdum wrapped up a trilogy that began 11 years ago.

In a fight that was light on action until the final round, Overeem hung on to win a close majority decision over Werdum in the heavyweight co-main event of UFC 213 in Las Vegas.

The outcome was in doubt until the final moments as Werdum badly hurt Overeem in Round 3, the most conclusive frame of the bout. "The Reem" brought a controlled, measured approach to the contest, but he was nearly finished after Werdum dropped him with a 1-2 combo and a knee up the middle:

Perhaps assuming that he won at least one of the first two rounds, Werdum dropped down for an easy takedown to stay in control until time elapsed. Instead, it was Overeem who was rewarded for his early work.

Overeem has now won two straight and six of his last seven, with his only loss in that stretch coming at the hands of heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic. This is also his second win over Werdum after he defeated the Brazilian in the Strikeforce promotion by unanimous decision to avenge a May 2006 submission loss.

The grappling-minded Werdum opened Rounds 1 and 2 with flying kicks that looked spectacular, but caught nothing but air:

After a close opening round in which neither man landed much of significance, Overeem appeared to take the second round with crisp counter-punching and kicks to Werdum's body.

Though Werdum came the closest to finishing the fight, two judges awarded Overeem with 29-28 scores while the other ruled the bout to be a draw.

Werdum loses for just the second time since returning to the UFC in February 2012. He is 7-2 inside the Octagon during that stretch.