UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Harris
| Company type | Sporting event |
|---|---|
| Industry | Mixed martial arts |
| Founded | April 11, 2020 |
| Headquarters | Portland, Oregon , United States |
| Products | Mixed martial arts event |
UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Harris was an Ultimate Fighting Championship event planned for April 11, 2020, at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, United States. The event was ultimately postponed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Background
This event would have marked the UFC's third visit to Portland, following previous shows: UFC 102 in August 2009 and UFC Fight Night: Lineker vs. Dodson held in October 2016.
The main event featured a heavyweight clash between former Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion, 2010 K-1 World Grand Prix winner, and challenger for the UFC Heavyweight title, Alistair Overeem, against Walt Harris. This matchup was initially arranged for December 7, 2019, but Harris withdrew after the tragic disappearance and passing of his stepdaughter in Alabama.
A middleweight contest between Abu Azaitar and Alessio Di Chirico was also on the card; however, Azaitar pulled out for undisclosed reasons and was substituted by Markus Perez.
Furthermore, a middleweight fight between Derek Brunson and Edmen Shahbazyan, originally slated for UFC 248, was rescheduled to serve as the event’s co-main attraction.
COVID-19 pandemic
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Oregon Governor Kate Brown imposed restrictions on large gatherings on March 12, prompting the UFC to move the event to the UFC APEX facility in Las Vegas without spectators. Shortly after, on March 15, UFC President Dana White announced another relocation attempt following a temporary ban by the Nevada State Athletic Commission on events until March 25, which jeopardized the event’s feasibility. On March 16, the UFC officially postponed this event—the first UFC cancellation attributed to vis major—alongside two other events planned for March 21 and 28. Dana White later confirmed on March 24 that all affected bouts would be rescheduled.