Alexander Volkov def Alistair Overeem via TKO (Main Event)
The power and precision of Alexander Volkov proved too much for the Dutch veteran to handle, with the outright favourite getting the victory at the UFC Apex. With the two originally supposed to fight a couple years back, all eyes were on the heavyweight big boys to end the fight night on a high. Volkov did just that, cutting and slicing open The Demolition man with ease. A beautiful one-two from Volkov ended the fight, with Overeem crumbling to ground, Jason Herzog intervened to stop any unnecessary damage coming to Alistair.
The win for Volkov should now allow him to enter the top 5 in the heavyweight ranks, with one more fight against a top 5 contender before a chance to fight for the title. Only time will tell, the most likely opponent for the Russian giant is Derrick Lewis or Curtis Blaydes, who are due to fight 21st February, with both of these men having already beaten Volkov he will definitely want some revenge. The only other option for Volkov would be the winner of Rozenstruik vs Gane, due to John Jones being the most likely opponent for the winner of Miocic vs Ngannou.
Biggest and most impressive win in Volkov’s UFC career!
Where does Alistair Overeem go from here? He himself admitted that this would be his last run for the Heavyweight belt, with a heavy loss and being the wrong side of 40, was that the last time we see him in the octagon. Or could he become more like Arlovski and fight the up and comers and welcome them to the UFC, nothing better for a younger fighter than fighting one of the best to ever do it.
Will Overeem go down as the greatest UFC heavyweight to never become world champion?
Cory Sandhagen def Frankie Edgar via KO (Co-Main Event)
A co-main that in the build-up had all the pedigree to be a main event in itself. With the number 2 ranked Bantamweight contender Cory ‘The Sandman’ Sandhagen taking on future hall of famer and number 4 ranked Bantamweight contender Frankie ‘The Answer’ Edgar. With only one blot on his professional fight record against number 1 contender Aljamain Sterling, Sandhagen came into this fight as the favourite, after securing a devastating highlight reel knockout of Marlon Moraes in his previous fight. A spinning back kick to the head of Moraes, brought Sandhagen back into the mix after his submission defeat to Sterling, and he knew a win against Frankie Edgar would make him the next fight after Petr Yan defends his title against Sterling.
This would only be Frankie Edgars second fight at Bantamweight after spending so many years dominating the Lightweight division until 2 defeats to Benson Henderson forced him to move down to featherweight. Again dominating in the featherweight division until it all became too much for him losing 3 out of his final 4 fights in that division. Along came another division change and the Bantamweight division welcomed the legend with open arms, beating the number 8 contender Pedro Munhoz via decision late in 2020. His next opponent the Sandman.
It all went to plan for Cory Sandhagen from the outset, with one of his first shots that landed knocking Frankie Edgar out clean in 28 seconds with a scintillating flying knee to the side of Frankie’s head. With a walk off KO under his belt against one of the biggest legends in the sport of MMA, you can be sure that Sandhagen will be fighting for the Bantamweight title come the end of this year.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I believe that there will be a new champion in every Male division in the UFC come the end of 2021. Sandhagen rightfully deserves a shot against the winner of Yan vs Sterling.
UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs Volkov: Results
Main card:
Alexander Volkov def Alistair Overeem via KO/TKO
Cory Sandhagen def Frankie Edgar via KO/TKO
Clay Guida def Michael Johnson via Decision
Alexandre Pantoja def Manel Kape via Decision
Beneil Dariush def Carlos Diego Ferriera via Decision
Danilo Marques def Mike Rodriguez via Submission
Preliminary card:
Devonte Smith def Justin Jaynes via TKO/KO
Karol Rosa def Joselyne Edwards via Decision
Lara Procopio def Molly McCann via Decision
Cho Seung-Woo def Youssef Zalal via Decision