This is the UFC St. Petersburg live blog for Alistair Overeem vs. Alexey Oleinik, a heavyweight bout at Saturday’s UFC event at the Yubileyny Sports Palace in Russia.

Overeem, a former K-1 and Strikeforce champion, is looking to continue his winning ways after decimating Sergey Pavlovich in his lost outing. Oleinik, who is replacing Alexander Volkov, is also looking to stick around in the win column after submitting Junior Albini and Mark Hunt in his last two bouts.

Check out the UFC St. Petersburg live blog below.

Round 1

Right out of the gate, Oleinik locks up and pulls guard, looking for his signature Ezekiel Choke. Breaking free, Overeem escapes, climbs back to his feet and connects with a hard knee up the middle. Oleinik connects with an overhand right, sending Overeem into the fence. Pushing forward, Oleinik slaps in a few more strikes before clinching up against the fence. Overeem escapes and plants a hard knee to Oleinik’s solar plexus. Oleinik continues to find a home for his overhand right. Oleinik clinches up against and works Overeem’s body with a series of short punches.

Overeem reverses positions and unloads with a barrage of knees from the clinch. Oleinik not only survives but reverses and pushes his towering opponent back into the fence. Overeem escapes and connects with a pair of knees to the midsection. Oleinik eats the blows, clinches up and looks for more short punches. Overeem responds with three straight knees the jaw, sending Oleinik crumpling to the canvas. Covering up Oleinik continues to eat shots as he rolls onto his side, forcing the referee to jump in and stop the fight.

OFFICIAL SCORECARD: Alistair Overeem def. Aleksei Oleinik via TKO (strikes) at 4:45 of Round 1