UFC: Alexander Volkov’s power brings the Alistair Overeem dream crashing down at UFC Vegas 18
- Russian lands knockout in the second round and throws himself into the heavyweight title picture
- ‘For sure I want to fight for the belt,’ says Volkov. ‘For sure in the future I will get better and better’
Russian giant Alexander Volkov turned the Alistair Overeem dream into a stark lesson in reality at UFC Vegas 18 on Sunday, ending the veteran with a huge right-left combination at 2.06 of round two of their heavyweight clash.
“I feel great, I feel really excited,” Volkov said in his post-fight interview. “It’s my time and I’m coming for the belt.”
Such had been the attention on the late career resurgence of the 40-year-old Overeem (47-19, one no contest) that Volkov (33-8) was consigned to a supporting role in the lead up to Sunday’s clash. That was a big mistake.
From the first bell, the 32-year-old controlled the cage, and he rode his seven-inch height advantage and some fearsome jab-straight-right combinations to wobble the Dutchman a few times in the first.
By the start of the second, it was apparent the damage had been done early and it was simply a matter now of Volkov finding his mark. He did that, again, by swinging hard and high, and down went Overeem.