By: Frank Hyden, MMATorch Senior Columnist
UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Volkov was Saturday night and it featured what will surely be one of the finalists (if not the winner) for Knockout of the Year. Let’s get to the rundown.
UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Volkov
GOOD- Danilo Marques submits Mike Rodriguez
Marques was all over Rodriguez from the start as he controlled things throughout the first round. The second round was largely the same, and then Marques submitted Rodriguez with just a handful of seconds left in the second round. Good win for Marques.
GOOD- Beneil Dariush vs. Diego Ferreira
The craziness started early, as both guys were landing big shots over and over. They went hard to the body and then the fight went to the ground. They stood up and exchanged heavy strikes, with each guy getting wobbled; then the round ended, the first round. The second round wasn’t quite as crazy but a lot still happened. Dariush had some success with his takedowns and grappling. The third round saw Ferreira have more success defending the takedowns and they both did damage to each other. This fight went the distance and the judges gave Dariush the split decision. Good win for Dariush.
GOOD- Manel Kape vs. Alexandre Pantoja
This was a good and solid fight, with both guys delivering and absorbing punishment. Kape taunted Pantoja and repeatedly acted like his strikes weren’t hurting but he wasn’t doing as much himself, so Pantoja got the decision victory. Good win for Pantoja.
GOOD- Clay Guida vs. Michael Johnson
This was another solid fight. Guida was a bit more active, though Johnson had his moments. To be honest, I wasn’t really feeling this one. Maybe I’m just too excited for the Super Bowl tomorrow, I don’t know, but this felt tedious after a while. I’m probably being too harsh on this fight but it is what it is. Guida won the decision, good win for him.
GOOD- Cory Sandhagen stops Frankie Edgar
Edgar came forward and was pressuring when Sandhagen blasted him with a beautiful flying knee that knocked him out before he even hit the ground. Holy hell. Sandhagen said afterwards that he wants a title shot next and after a win like this, how can you argue too much? We all know how tough Edgar is, so for him to get stopped like this is a real show-stopper. Sandhagen’s only loss in his last ten fights is to Aljamain Sterling, who’s fighting UFC Bantamweight Champion Petr Yan for the title at UFC 259. So I think Sandhagen has a very good case for a title shot. I don’t think T.J. Dillashaw should get a title shot when he comes from his drug suspension. He hasn’t fought in a couple years so it’d probably be better if he fought someone else first. Regardless, good win for Sandhagen.
GOOD- Alexander Volkov stops Alistair Overeem
The first round saw Volkov land the heavier shots, though Overeem did some damage of his own. The second round saw Volkov stun Overeem with some shots, then hurt him with some punches against the fence before dropping him with another combination and forcing the ref to jump in to stop the fight a little over two minutes into the round. I know Volkov is hoping for a title shot but this is just his second win in a row so I think at best he might get put into #1 Contenders Fight. Regardless, this is a good showing for Volkov, good win for him.Comments and suggestions can be emailed to me at hydenfrank@gmail.com and you can follow me on Twitter at @hydenfrank and you can check out my blog athttps://3pr117238763.wordpress.com/ where I talk about wrestling, sports, and videogames and I just put a link to some great art. Thanks for reading and have a good day.
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