[autotag]Alexander Volkov[/autotag] lived up to his promise to get back on track Saturday when he finished [autotag]Walt Harris[/autotag] at UFC 254.
Volkov’s (32-8 MMA, 6-2 UFC) striking accuracy proved to be the difference in his comeback from a one-sided main event loss to Curtis Blaydes earlier this year. Volkov landed a precision body kick on Harris (13-9 MMA, 6-8 UFC) to end the fight at the 1:15 mark of Round 2.
The heavyweight bout was part of the UFC 254 main card at Flash Forum at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. It aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN2 and ESPN+.
Harris loaded up behind heavy strikes to start but showed a speed advantage. Volkov measured his range, looking to counter the offense of his foe. Volkov’s jab proved to be an effective weapon early, as were his multi-strike combinations to slow the output of Harris. “The Big Ticket” picked it up in the final half of the frame, trying to mix in punches against the body and leg kicks. Volkov stung Harris with a clean shot late in the round, forcing him to back up toward the fence. Harris fired back, but the late exchange cost him the round.
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With Volkov confident going into the second, Harris attempted to turn the tide with a takedown. It was easily defended, and Harris was forced into a stand-up fight. Volkov landed a big front kick that connected clean to the body of Harris. He immediately turtled up, and Volkov attacked with a few more punches until the referee stepped in.
“I proved I will be here for a long time,” Volkov said in his post-fight interview with Jon Anik. “I’m going for the title. Alistair Overeem, (Junior) Dos Santos or (Jairzinho) Rozenstruik. Anyone who can take me back to the belt.”
Up-to-the-minute UFC 254 results:
- Alexander Volkov def. Walt Harris via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 1:15
- Phil Hawes def. Jacob Malkoun via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 0:18
- Lauren Murphy def. Liliya Shakirova via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 3:31
- Magomed Ankalaev def. Ion Cutelaba via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 4:19
- Tai Tuivasa def. Stefan Struve via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 4:59
- Casey Kenney def. Nathaniel Wood via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
- Shavkat Rakhmonov def. Alex Oliveira via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 4:40
- Sam Alvey vs. Da Un Jung declared split draw (29-28, 28-29, 28-28)
- Miranda Maverick def. Liana Jojua via TKO (doctor’s stoppage) – Round 1, 5:00
- Joel Alvarez def. Alexander Yakovlev via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 3:00