UFC on ESPN 7: Alistair Overeem vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik preview and pick

It’s carnage on Capitol Hill, as UFC on ESPN features big-punching heavyweights and crossroad matches with huge implications as part of a packed card from Washington D.C. on Saturday, December 7. Join us as we break down this big night of action that features premier competitors in can’t-miss fights.

Heavyweight: Alistair Overeem vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik

The writing has been on the wall for Overeem, but the veteran heavyweight is hanging on to relevance, even as his chin and legs are starting to fail him. Rozenstruik’s kickboxing background and youth should be enough to discourage Overeem from taking too many chances early on, but the veteran will have to impose his will on his younger foe to pull off a victory.

Forget any chance of this turning into a ground war. Overeem is going to do what he can to smother Rozenstruik and fight his way out of clinches in hopes that Rozenstruik gets knocked off his rhythm and out of position. In order to do that, Overeem will have to put himself in harm’s way for the entirety of the fight and be on point from bell to bell.

Rozenstruik will only need a good sequence of shots to stop Overeem in his place and has the power to send his opponent crashing to the canvas at any moment. Rozenstruik will have plenty of opportunities as long as he doesn’t give Overeem too much respect in the early goings.

Overeem's style has become more conservative and methodical to mask his compromising features, but this doesn’t seem like a night where skill overcomes will. It is hard to say how far Rozenstruik goes as a contender in the division, but he has enough to beat this version of Overeem.

Perhaps out of desperation or false hope, Overeem will get too confident or brave and get caught by a barrage of strikes he’ll never recover from. Rozenstruik will get the chance to close up shop from the third round onward.

Pick: Rozenstruik +100

Women's strawweight: Marina Rodriguez vs. Cynthia Calvillo

The undefeated Rodriguez is taking this fight on short notice against the more-experienced Calvillo. As long as she stays off the ground, Rodriguez will go the distance and score the upset.

Pick: Rodriguez -140

Heavyweight: Stefan Struve vs. Ben Rothwell

Both of these fighters are worn and battle weary. Rothwell may have more left in the tank, so he'll outlast Struve and take a decision.

Pick: Rothwell -145

Women's bantamweight: Aspen Ladd vs. Yana Kunitskaya

Ladd is coming off of a loss, while Kunitskaya has won her last two fights. There is too big of a skill gap between them, so Ladd should get the win on the cards.

Pick: Ladd -160

Bantamweight: Cody Stamann vs. Song Yadong

Stamann isn’t going to get wiped out, but he is outclassed in every department against Yadong. Yadong will go the distance and take the comfortable win.

Pick: Yadong -195

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