UFC Vegas 18: Pros react to Alexander Volkov busting up Alistair Overeem

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 06: In this handout image provided by UFC, Alexander Volkov of Russia reacts after his knockout victory over Alistair Overeem of the Netherlands in their heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on February 06, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) — LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 06: In this handout image provided by UFC, Alexander Volkov of Russia reacts after his knockout victory over Alistair Overeem of the Netherlands in their heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on February 06, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

See how other UFC fighters reacted to Alexander Volkov’s destruction.

Alexander Volkov put on quite the showing at UFC Vegas 18, solidifying himself as a top heavyweight contender in the UFC and staking his claim towards a UFC title fight. Volkov finished Alistair Overeem in the second round of their main event bout.

Overeem came into this fight with four wins in his five fights since moving to the Elevation Fight Team in the middle of 2018. In that span, he’s scored finishes of Sergei Pavlovich, Alexey Oleynik, Walt Harris and Augusto Sakai.

Volkov’s UFC run started with decision wins over Timothy Johnson and Roy Nelson and finishes of Stefan Struve and Fabricio Werdum. After a last-second loss to Derrick Lewis, Volkov rebounded with a win over Greg Hardy. Volkov dropped a decision to Curtis Blaydes but finished Harris at UFC 254.

Pros react to Alexander Volkov TKOing Alistair Overeem at UFC Vegas 18

Overeem’s defensive efforts were no match for Volkov’s pressure. Volkov walked Overeem down and battered him out for less than 10 minutes, constantly splitting Overeem’s guard and barely giving him any chance to clinch up or score a takedown. Volkov put Overeem away with one shot about two minutes into the second.

See how Twitter reacted to Volkov’s win:

Good jod Volkov you’re now playing on the big men field. Be careful it’s Slippery 😏#UFCVegas18

— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) February 7, 2021

I think that’s the man to give stepe the most trouble.

— Erik Jon Koch (@NEWBREED04) February 7, 2021

Volkov, who entered this fight at No. 6 in the heavyweight rankings, is certain to find himself in the top-five next week. In his post-fight interview, Volkov says he feels ready for a shot at the title, which will be on the line when Stipe Miocic and Francis Ngannou rematch in March.