Alexander Volkov Trashes Overeem, Sandhagen Delivers Another Highlight Reel KO

Alexander Volkov posted the biggest win of his UC career, knocking out the legendary Alistair Overeem in the second round. The referee in the ring, Jason Herzog, stopped the fight after 2:06 of the same, as Volkov’s one-two combo brought down Overeem, who couldn’t defend anymore.

“I feel great, I feel excited,” the Russian stated in his post-match interview with Daniel Cormier, the former two-division champion. It’s my time. I’m coming for the belt!”

Even though Overeem is not among the top five heavyweights anymore, the way Volkov dismantled the veteran and one of the biggest MMA fighters ever was impressive.

🟡VIDEO: Alexander Volkov with a walkoff KO against Alistair Overeem! 🥊#UFCVegas18 #MMATwitter #UFC https://t.co/F5PBISg4JB

— MMAdissect (@mmadissect) February 7, 2021

His long reach and fantastic jabs were impeccable, and Overeem had no defense against them. He would use them to split up the rival’s guard and prepare the terrain for devastating one-two punch combinations, that eventually destroyed the Dutch fighter.

There was no chance for him to avoid the loss, which was obvious right from the start. Overeem’s nose was bloodied pretty quickly, and it seems that Reem’s cardio was very bad. He lost his breath already midway through the first round and was breathing heavily. On the other side, Volkov was pressuring going forward, without the slightest change on his face.

With tonight’s win, he has 22 KO triumphs. After beating Walt Harris last October, this was his second in a row and the one that propels him to the top echelon in the heavyweight division. Following the fight, Francis Ngannou tweeted, addressing Volkov and saying that he is among the big boys now and that he needs to be careful. There isn’t a better way to be acknowledged than by Ngannou himself.

According to all the experts, among them Cormier, Volkov is the new contender for the heavyweight title.

Once speaking bout the potential champions, we need to mention Cory Sandhagen, whose performance tonight was unreal. He would knock out Frankie Edgar in only 28 seconds, and not just that. Sandhagen posted a flying knee KO, that sent the former UFC lightweight champion to the lala land.

It was, without a doubt, the best knockout seen since the start of 2021, and probably the last year as well. Laser precise hit, combined with perfect timing and the
fantastic movement in the air brought a spectacular ending to this fight.

“I’m coming for the legacy, I’m coming for the world titles, I’m coming to be the king,” said Sandhagen, who posted his 14th career win, and the seventh in the UFC.

Cory Sandhagen put Frankie Edgar out COLD 🥶 #UFCVegas18 pic.twitter.com/AvrIH7hie6

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) February 7, 2021

He will probably meet the better from the fight between the bantamweight champion Petr Yan and the challenger, Aljamain Sterling. According to Sandhagen, there is no way for either of them to defeat him.

Previously, the Sandman beat Marlon Moraes via spinning heel kick, which was another exquisite finish, which only cemented the opinion of many that Sandhagen has incredible potential. With 28 years, he is yet to reach the prime and show his best. An astonishing show from tonight earned him the Performance of the Night bonus, the second in a row.

Volkov received the same, his first one since defeating Werdum back in March 2017.

The next UFC event is already in seven days, with the headliner fight including the welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman, and the challenger, Gilbert Burns. The event will include the fight between Kelvin Gastelum and Ian Heinisch.