Alistair Overeem

Alistair Overeem vs. Alexander Volkov

Round 1
Five hundred nineteen and one-half pounds, not counting referee Jason Herzog, are in the cage now for our headliner. The two heavyweight strikers in Overeem (47-18, 1 NC; 12-7 UFC) and Volkov (32-8, 6-2 UFC) will determine who is perhaps a win away for a title shot, while the other falls to the middle of the pack with their hopes dashed. The big men respectfully touch gloves, and the cage door seals behind them as we begin. Volkov lands a huge leg kick, and Overeem backs off to shell up against the fence. Volkov lands a few strikes but does not fall into a trap of Overeem letting loose a counter strike. The Russian pulls back at the last second of a big kick to draw a reaction out of his opponent, and his strikes are already making Overeem flinch. Volkov lands a front kick down the middle, and Overeem tries to catch it and lets it go. Volkov chops at the calf with a kick, and he does not follow it and instead eats a huge right hand from “The Demolition Man.” Overeem loads up with another, and Volkov eats it like borscht and retreats against the cage wall. Volkov stalks down his opponent, but he takes a right hand and clinches up. Volkov separates, and he absorbs a left hand and fights off a takedown attempt. Volkov fires off a high kick that is blocked, and a single jab is pawed away without issue. Overeem ducks forward to land a big uppercut, and he continues along with a thudding body kick. Overeem backs off to land a kick to the thigh, and Volkov counters him with a left hand that puts Overeem down. Overeem might not be hurt and he may have slipped, but Volkov chases after him to hammer him with punches. Not sensing a finish, Volkov lets him back up and reaches out with his left jab. Volkov lands a couple punches and a knee up the middle, and he backs off to land a heavy kick to the body. Overeem lunges forward with a left hand, and Volkov picks at him with a low kick and a jab. Volkov chambers a right hand but does not throw it, and Overeem swings and misses wildly with a looping left. Volkov assaults Overeem with a barrage of punches, and Overeem covers up and takes some damage as his face is marked up. The round ends with Overeem aiming a punch to the body.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Volkov
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Volkov
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Volkov

Round 2
The heavyweights touch gloves to stat off the second round, and Overeem rushes forward shoulder first and eats a right hand. Overeem lets loose a head kick that gets blocked, and Volkov triples up on his left hand to sting Overeem. A solid one-two snaps Overeem’s head back, and Overeem ducks down to wing a left hook but it glances off the guard. Overeem crashes in to tie the Russian up, but he pushes Volkov away and gets jabbed. Volkov splits the guard with a few punches, and Overeem is stalking him down and pushes him back into the cage wall. “Drago” connects with a heavy one-two, and Overeem is in the danger zone. Overeem turns away as he takes another punch, and Volkov rips into him with punches in bunches. Volkov measures his shots and does not punch himself out, and Herzog cautions Overeem to defend himself. Overeem attacks a takedown but it is easily stuffed.
Volkov measures his strikes and lands punches that make Overeem’s legs wobble. “Drago” fires off a deadly one-two, and a bloodied Overeem stumbles to the canvas and topples over. Herzog has seen enough, and Volkov walks off knowing his work tonight is done.
We have a legitimate, new heavyweight contender on the rise, as Volkov notched a very impressive win against a devastatingly effective striker with a penchant for nasty finishes. Volkov goes down to join Overeem on his knees to thank him for the fight, showing respect for the legendary Dutchman in victory. In his post-fight interview, an eerily calm Volkov says it is his time, and that he is not done improving. With this fight card in the books, we return next week with a pay-per-view offering putting the welterweight title on the line.

The Official Result
Alexander Volkov def. Alistair Overeem R2 2:06 via TKO (Punches)

Alistair Overeem vs. Sergei Pavlovich

Round 1
Overeem crouches low with a high guard as he circles Pavlovich, feinting and testing the reactions of the Russian newcomer. Pavlovich clips “The ‘Reem” with a right hand, then shoves him away when Overeem attempts to tie up. An uppercut leaves Overeem covering up momentarily, but he recovers and drives forward to push Pavlovich against the wall. Pavlovich spins to the outside position in the clinch and walks Overeem out toward the middle, then the Dutchman reclaims control and marches him back to the fence. Pavlovich drops levels to try a double-leg, and now Overeem abandons the clinch to step back to the center. Overeem swings a big right hand at Pavlovich, tries to grab the Russian in the Thai clinch and winds up tossing him to the ground. Overeem kneels down in Pavlovich’s open guard, then stands over him with 60 seconds on the clock. Suddenly, Overeem turns up the volume on his right hands, smashing Pavlovich’s face with thunderous hammerfists. Pavlovich eats a couple punches before going fetal and turning away from Overeem. The body language is not good, and Overeem continues to pour on the right hands, prompting referee John Sharp to step in for the stoppage.

The Result
Alistair Overeem def. Sergey Pavlovich via TKO (Punches) R1 4:21