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Watch Alexander Volkov stop Walt Harris ahead of UFC Vegas 18

Alexander Volkov has long been on the cusp of a UFC heavyweight title shot.

Having won his first four UFC bouts, including a knockout of former champion Fabricio Werdum, he was derailed by Derrick Lewis. Volkov bounced back with a win over Greg Hardy, but was again pushed off track by Curtis Blaydes.

This fight with Walt Harris at UFC 254 in October again righted the ship for Volkov, who now faces Alistair Overeem in the UFC Vegas 18 main event on Saturday in Sin City.

The winner of Overeem vs. Volkov could be taking a huge step toward a title shot with an impressive victory. But first, watch Volkov’s stoppage of Harris in Abu Dhabi.

(Video courtesy of UFC)

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Article source: https://www.mmaweekly.com/watch-alexander-volkov-stop-walt-harris-ahead-of-ufc-vegas-18

Photos: UFC Fight Night 184 official weigh-ins and faceoffs

Cory Sandhagen clear about UFC title shot on line vs. Frankie Edgar: We ‘are next, whoever wins’

Article source: https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/gallery/photos-ufc-fight-night-184-official-weigh-ins-and-faceoffs

Bellator champ Douglas Lima: UFC won’t risk matching me up vs. Kamaru Usman

Douglas Lima doubts the UFC would ever try to match him up against against their champion.

The Bellator welterweight title holder doesn’t think the UFC would take the risk pitting him against Kamaru Usman – the current UFC champion at 170 pounds. Lima (32-8 MMA, 14-4 BMMA) weighed in Friday about the potential matchup with Usman after being asked about it on Twitter.

“UFC won’t take the risk,” Lima posted.

UFC won’t take that risk 👊🏽😅 https://t.co/EOauZD52MP

— Douglas Lima (@PhenomLima) February 5, 2021

Lima has long been interested in facing Usman in a cross-promotional bout. Bellator has been keen to working with other promotions in the past, but the UFC has not. Former UFC and Bellator champions have left one promotion for the other with more frequency in recent years, but there never has been a fight between an active Bellator and UFC champion.

In 2019, Lima opened up about wanting to face Usman and hoped Bellator could work something out with the UFC.

“It’s not the name ‘UFC,’ or ‘Bellator,’ or ‘ONE FC’ – there’s killers everywhere, and I’ve been fighting all these guys. I’ve been beating them,” Lima told TMZ Sports. “(I’m a) three-time world champion, three tournament (wins), but they still don’t believe me. Now that (Bellator president) Scott Coker is doing the co-promotions – he’s doing that with Rizin – I would love if we would do that with the UFC.”

There’s never been talk on the matter between the two promotions, and it seems unlikely that will change anytime soon, as UFC president Dana White has turned down the idea of cross promotion fights.

Lima most recently fought this past October when he tried to become a two-division champion by fighting Gegard Mousasi at Bellator 250 for the vacant middleweight title. Lima lost the bout by unanimous decision. The defeat snapped a three-fight winning streak for the 33-year-old.

Usman is gearing up for his third UFC title defense. He takes on former teammate Gilbert Burns in the UFC 258 main event Feb. 13.

Article source: https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/02/bellator-douglas-lima-says-ufc-wont-risk-kamaru-usman-to-fight-him

Alexandre Pantoja says COVID-19 gave him six bad weeks, but he’s ‘super ready’ for Manel Kape

LAS VEGAS – Ahead of UFC Fight Night 184, Alexandre Pantoja spoke to the media, including MMA Junkie, on Thursday.

Pantoja (22-5 MMA, 6-3 UFC) talks about his difficult experience with COVID-19, training with American Top Team, and where he fits into the flyweight title picture heading into his rescheduled bout with Manel Kape (15-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC).

You can watch the full interview in the video above.

UFC Fight Night 184 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The event streams on ESPN+.

Article source: https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/02/alexandre-pantoja-covid-19-manel-kape-ufc-fight-night-184-video

Diego Ferreira still wants Drew Dober but happy with Beneil Dariush rematch

LAS VEGAS – Ahead of UFC Fight Night 184, Diego Ferreira spoke to the media, including MMA Junkie, on Thursday.

Ferreira (17-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC) discussed how he kept himself busy during a year off due to the pandemic, still wanting a fight with Drew Dober, which dropped out twice, how he’s glad to have his lightweight rematch with Beneil Dariush (19-4-1 MMA, 13-4-1 UFC), and his plans to fight three more times in 2021.