UFC Vegas 18 live blog: Alistair Overeem vs. Alexander Volkov

This is the UFC Vegas 18 live blog for Alistair Overeem vs. Alexander Volkov, the heavyweight headliner for Saturday’s fight card at UFC APEX in Las Vegas.

Overeem hopes to make it three in a row in his latest attempt to get another shot at the heavyweight title and close out his career with belts in the UFC, Strikeforce, DREAM and K-1. He previously picked up wins in appearances against Augusto Sakai and Walt Harris, taking home a decision and TKO, respectively.

Volkov, a former Bellator champ, also owns a win over Harris, having beaten him via second-round TKO in his previous performance. That put him back in the win column after a decision loss to Curtis Blaydes.

Check out the UFC Vegas 18 live blog below.

Round 1: Jason Herzog is the third man in the cage for this main event.

Volkov comes out with pressure early and once again Overeem retreats to the fence and shells up, just like he did in his lsat fight. Volkov doesn’t land anything substantive and the two separate back to space. Volkov holding the center of the cage now and both men are feinting a lot but low volume thus far. Overeem throws a big overhand right that Volkov partially blocks and now Overeem is marching forward.

Overrem is leaning his body to the left which seems dangerous as Volkov is spending a lot of time in orthodox. Overeem lands another overhand and briefly goes for a trip but Volkov fends it off. Volkov working behind a jab more now but Overeem is picking his shots. Overeem comes in and Volkov lands a counter right that puts Overeem on his butt and now Volkov is on top of him. Overeem seems fine and that may have been more of a trip than a true knockdown but Volkov lands some good shots before Overeem can get back to his feet and escape.

Volkov backs Overeem to the fence again and lands a stinging right hand that has Overeem’s nose bleeding now. Overeem circles out but Volkov gets him back to the cage again and this time he unloads a combination. Overeem once again relying on shelling up against the fence and he blocks a lot of the shots but not all before he can circle out again and the round ends.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Volkov.

Round 2: Overeem definitely took some damage that round and his face is a bit busted up but he seems fine. Not sure how long that will be the case though as Volkov is working a sharp jab early in round two. Overeem needs to mix things up here and now he’s coming forward. Overeem throws an overhand forces a clinch but Volkov shucks it off. Overeem is still the one advancing now though and Volkov is not as good on the back foot.

Volkov steps forward and he hurts Overeem with a 1-2! Now Volkov is on the attack and Overeem is on the fence and shelling up again. Herzog demands action from Overeem and The Reem swings and circles out. But Volkov is right back on him, peppering straight into Overeem’s head. Overeem still fighting but he’s getting busted up more now. A straight right-left hook combo drops Overeem and Herzog steps in between before Volkov can follow up on the downed fighter.

Alexander Volkov stops Alistair Overeem with ease!

OFFICIAL DECISION: Alexander Volkov stops Alistair Overeem with punches at 2:06 of Round 2.