Alexander Volkov joined the UFC in 2016 after stints in M-1 Global and Bellator. Volkov held the heavyweight title in both of those organizations. He opened his UFC run with three victories. In 2018, Volkov was matched up against former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum in the main event of UFC Fight Night 127.
Werdum was on a two-fight winning streak when he faced Volkov. The odds of the matchup favored Werdum, who was a -240 favorite over Volkov, who entered the contest as a +155 underdog. Werdum was the No. 3 ranked fighter in the UFC heavyweight division at the time of the fight while Volkov checked in at No. 8.
Werdum spent most of the first round in control of his opponent thanks to his two successful takedowns.
The second round went more or less the same as the first with Werdum scoring a takedown and dominating the fight on the ground.
Volkov’s striking took over in the third stanza. By the end of the round, Werdum’s right eye was bloody and nearly swollen shut.
Volkov delivered his best striking in the fourth round. He landed 17 of 21 attempted significant strikes en route to ending the bout 1:38 into the round.
Volkov’s winning streak came to an end in his next outing when Derrick Lewis knocked him out in the closing seconds of their fight.
In November, Volkov got back in the win column with a decision victory over Greg Hardy.
Tonight, Volkov faces Curtis Blaydes in the main event of UFC on ESPN 11. Before that fight takes place, watch Volkov’s knockout win over Werdum.
