Sherdog's Top 10: Greatest UFC Debuts

2. Alistair Overeem

The devastating Dutch striker cracks yet another top 10 list, this time in his highest placing yet, the runner-up spot. There were certainly lofty expectations for Overeem when he debuted in the UFC on December 30, 2010, the second latest debut of anyone on this list. He had some terrific highs and disappointing lows in Pride but had utterly transformed his career and body alike since moving up to heavyweight full-time, going a perfect 10-0 after leaving Pride, winning the Strikeforce heavyweight championship and becoming a menacing 260-pound muscular marvel dubbed “Ubereem.” During that time, he recorded a vicious beatdown of former UFC title challenger Paul Buentello, a 71-second submission of Mark Hunt, a 75-second scary knee knockout of iron chinned Kazuyuki Fujita, a 19-second obliteration of Todd Duffee and a unanimous decision over Fabricio Werdum, who was fresh off becoming the first man to legitimately defeat Fedor Emelianenko. And yet, Overeem found himself at even odds against the equally intimidating physical specimen and former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar. Lesnar had lost his crown to Cain Velasquez in his last outing, but even then, had given the new champion several scares early in the stanza. He would have far less success against Overeem, who crushed Lesnar in less than half a round. Overeem began cautiously, in a low crouch, allowing Lesnar to throw some wild, ineffectual strikes. Lesnar soon shot a single-leg, but to his shock, Overeem had little trouble stuffing it. Soon after, Overeem defied expectations and walked forward to clinch with the American, blasting him with a couple of huge knees to the breadbasket. Lesnar pushed him off, but it was a brief respite. For the rest of the contest, Overeem continued to hammer Lesnar with knees to the body, causing him to wince in pain, and adding punches to the head and a few devastating body kicks for good measure. Overeem treated the fearsome monster Lesnar as if he was little more than a tomato can. No one had ever done this to Lesnar, nor did such a feat even seem possible. Overeem earned a reputation as one of the most feared fighters in UFC history on the strength of that immaculate debut alone.

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