Alexander Volkov has been about to rise to the heavyweight elite for several years now. He just missed that one big signature finish.
He got it Saturday night.
Volkov knocked out legend Alistair Overeem via TKO after 2 minutes, 6 seconds of round two in the main event of UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas. After gorying Overeem with hard combinations, Volkov landed a walk-off left hook that left Overeem sad for good. Referee Jason Herzog jumped in and called the game.
The win was one-sided and arguably Volkov’s best performance in the UFC and should lift him to the top echelons of the heavyweight division. ESPN had ranked Overeem at number 6 in the world in heavyweight and Volkov directly below him at number 7.
“It’s my time,” said Volkov, a Russian nicknamed “Drago,” in his post-fight interview.
Overeem was successful in the first with several hard overhand leftists. But waiting to refute Volkov was a misconception. Volkov stepped forward and landed hard straight punch combinations with Overeem shooting up the cage. Although Overeem blocked, Volkov’s shots were hard and piercing. Overeem was dropped late in the first round.
In the second round, Volkov put Overeem under pressure again against the cage and landed hard jab-cross combinations. The technique was simple but very effective. Volkov’s heavy hands bled Overeem even more.
When the two broke up, Overeem’s face was almost completely red. Volkov then landed a perfectly placed left hook to send Overeem to the canvas.
“I felt like I could finish him in the second or third round,” said Volkov. I saw his face. He had many cuts and blood on his face. I was waiting for a good punch. I did it.’
The game was held for no fans with COVID-19 protocols at the UFC Apex, a venue across the street from the UFC’s corporate campus. It was the first UFC event of the year in the United States after the first three took place in Abu Dhabi.
Volkov (33-8) has won nine of his past eleven fights. He came off a second round TKO over Walt Harris in October and is on a winning streak of two fights.
Volkov, 32, is the former M-1 Global heavyweight champion and is a perennial contender in the UFC. Before Saturday, he had failed in previous attempts to defeat contenders Curtis Blaydes and Derrick Lewis.
Overeem (47-19, 1 NC) had won two consecutive games, coming in four of his last five, hoping for a final run to the UFC heavyweight title. The Dutch forward is one of the most accomplished fighters in the history of the MMA heavyweights. He is a former Strikeforce and Dream heavyweight champion and one of only two fighters to have won titles in MMA and K-1 kickboxing.
Overeem, 40, has wins over former UFC Champion Brock Lesnar, Vitor Belfort (twice), Fabricio Werdum (twice), Junior dos Santos, Andrei Arlovski and Frank Mir.