Two great finishers, Alexander Volkov and Alistair Overeem, entered the octagon in the main event of UFC on Vegas 18 Saturday night at the UFC Apex.
Volkov (33-8-0) exited the octagon closer to a UFC heavyweight title shot after stopping Overeem (47-18-0, 1NC) in the second round after nearly putting him away late in the first round with a late barrage.
#UFCVegas18 Official Scorecard: @BeneilDariush vs Diego Ferreira
View All Scorecards from UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs Volkov Below ⤵️:
— UFC News (@UFCNews) February 7, 2021
Volkov, who stands 6-7 with an 80-inch reach went to work early with kicks to the body of the 6-5 veteran Overeem, knowing he was a slow starter that was difficult stop once he got going.
In the second round, a left by Volkov dropped Overeem, where followup strikes forced referee Jason Herzog to call the bout at 2:06.
With the win, Volkov likely moves into the top 5 rankings and moves closer to a potential title shot with champion Stipe Miocic.
Overeem, 40, and his push to add the UFC heavyweight title to his DREAM, Strikeforce, and K-1 belts, looks distant now with the defeat. There is now only the improbably small chance that an injury or a COVID-19 related situation could potentially place him near a title shot.
When do lightweights ever disappoint? 💰 #UFCVegas18
[ B2YB @ToyoTires ] pic.twitter.com/0hRZ4RC4Rh
— UFC (@ufc) February 7, 2021
Beneil Dariush and Carlos Diego Ferriera earned Fight of the Night while Volkov and Cory Sandhagen earned performances of the night. Each fighter earned a $50,000 USD bonus.
Who can argue? The co-main & main absolutely delivered 💵 #UFCVegas18 pic.twitter.com/VkYaioiDsB
— UFC (@ufc) February 7, 2021
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the main card.
In case you missed the prelims:
ODE OSBOURNE DEF. JEROME RIVERA VIA KO (PUNCHES) R1 0:26
TIMUR VALIEV DEF. MARTIN DAY VIA UD (30-25, 30-25, 30-26)
SEUNG WOO CHOI DEF. YOUSSEF ZALAI VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
LARA PROCOPIO DEF. MOLLY MCCANN VIA UD (29-27, 29-28, 30-27)
KAROL ROSA DEF. JOSELYNE EDWARDS VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
DEVONTE SMITH DEF. JUSTIN JAYNES VIA TKO (DOCTOR’S STOPPAGE) R2 3:38
MAIN CARD
DANILO MARQUES VS. MIKE RODRIGUEZ
Chased the neck… GOT THE NECK 🐍
🇧🇷 @Danilo_Marquesc secures the finish in RD 2!
[ #UFCVegas18 – LIVE on #ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/bsbgJVoMXp
— UFC (@ufc) February 7, 2021
WINNER: DANILO MARQUES VIA TECHNICAL SUBMISSION (RNC) R2 4:52
Andrews: Rodriguez just could not keep the fight on the feet, full marks for not tapping out. Good win for Marques.
#10 CARLOS DIEGO FERREIRA VS. #13 BENEIL DARIUSH
The knee CONNECTS 💥@BeneilDariush has Ferreira on the defense early! #UFCVegas18 pic.twitter.com/q0qmaKoQPN
— UFC (@ufc) February 7, 2021
WINNER: BENEIL DARIUSH VIA SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: BENEIL DARIUSH VIA UD
Andrews: Boy, did Dariush’s versatility save him. Grappling and just enough gas in the tank. Another good win.
#5 ALEXANDRE PATOJA VS. MANEL KAPE
Non-stop final minute! How'd you score this one? 🗳 #UFCVegas18 pic.twitter.com/2h6CT9fGdq
— UFC (@ufc) February 7, 2021
WINNER: ALEXANDRE PATOJA VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: ALEXANDRE PATOJA VIA UD
Andrews: Kape needed more time to cook, but credit Patoja for using his grappling and experience to grind it out.
MICHAEL JOHNSON VS. CLAY GUIDA
Vintage! The #UFCHoF'er still can get it done 🎸 #UFCVegas18 pic.twitter.com/4KbXJw6hQZ
— UFC (@ufc) February 7, 2021
WINNER: CLAY GUIDA VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: MICHAEL JOHNSON VIA UD
Andrews: Guida’s gas tank more than held up. It might be time for both of them to hang them up.
#2 CORY SANDHAGEN VS. #4 FRANKIE EDGAR
Start your KO of the Year lists, people 😱 #UFCVegas18 pic.twitter.com/a7dMvwV8bH
— UFC (@ufc) February 7, 2021
WINNER: CORY SANDHAGEN VIA TKO (FLYING KNEE) R1 0:26
ANDREWS PREDICTION: CORY SANDHAGEN VIA TKO
Andrews: Wow! I pretty much called it, but I didn’t expect it to be that early. Give that man a title shot.
MAIN EVENT
#5 ALISTAIR OVEREEM VS. #6 ALEXANDER VOLKOV
Introducing a new contender at heavyweight 🇷🇺 #UFCVegas18 pic.twitter.com/1Go6tQCfDp
— UFC (@ufc) February 7, 2021
WINNER: ALEXANDER VOLKOV VIA TKO (STRIKES) R2 2:06
ANDREWS PREDICTION: Alistair Overeem
Andrews: Wow. Volkov used his height and reach to nullify Overeem with good strikes. Drago is for real.
