UFC Vegas 18: Overeem vs Volkov Main Card Odds and Predictions

The UFC returns to its home in Las Vegas after opening 2021 with a three-fight series in Abu Dhabi.

UFC Vegas 18 on Saturday, February 6th, will feature two Top-ranked heavyweights trying to move up the ladder and looking to get one last run at the gold. Alistair Overeem and Alexander Volkov have won titles in other top promotions but both have never held the UFC heavyweight belt. The winner could move one step closer to a shot at the title.

Let’s take a look at the main card of Saturday’s UFC event and make our predictions:

Alistair Overeem vs Alexander Volkov

Alistair Overeem is one of the most decorated mixed martial artists of all-time. The 40-year old Overeem is a former Strikeforce, DREAM, and K-1 Grand Prix champion. The no. 5 ranked heavyweight in the UFC owns wins over former champions Andrei Arlovski, Junior Dos Santos, Frank Mir, and Brock Lesnar. Reem challenged for the UFC heavyweight title at UFC 203, losing via knockout against Stipe Miocic. He has a record of 47-18 with 25 knockouts and 17 wins via submission. Overeem is 6-4 tall with a reach of 80 inches and fights out of the orthodox stance.

Alexander Volkov is a former M-1 Global and Bellator heavyweight champion. This 32-year old from Moscow, Russia is the no. 6 ranked heavyweight contender in the UFC. Drago won his first four UFC bouts but is just 2-2 in his last four assignments. Volkov looked like he was about to challenge for the heavyweight title when he ran into Derrick Lewis at UFC 229. Ahead on points, Lewis knocked out Volkov with 11 seconds left in the fight. Volkov is 32-8 with 21 knockouts and three wins via submission. He is 6-7 tall with a reach of 80 inches while fighting as an orthodox fighter.

This fight should turn into a striking battle. Both men have shown improved wrestling, but I doubt if either will take the fight to the ground. On the feet, Volkov has an excellent point-fighting style which should outpoint Overeem. Unless he gets caught like he did against Derrick Lewis, Volkov has a good path to victory.

Prediction: Alexander Volkov

Cory Sandhagen vs Frankie Edgar

Cory Sandhagen is the no. 2 ranked bantamweight in the UFC. Known as the Sandman, the 28-year old from Aurora, Colorado is a former Sparta Combat League featherweight champion. He is 6-1 inside the Octagon with his only UFC loss coming at the hands of Aljamain Sterling in a title eliminator at UFC 250. The Sandman is 5-11 tall with a reach of 70 inches and is a switch hitter. He has a record of 13-2 with five knockouts and three wins via submission.

Frankie Edgar is the former UFC lightweight champion. The 39-year old from Toms River, New Jersey is the number 4 ranked bantamweight in the UFC. Edgar holds notable wins over former champions Sean Sherk, Hermes Franca, B.J. Penn, and Urijah Faber. Known as The Answer, Edgar has a record of 24-8 with seven knockouts and four submissions. However, he is just 2-4 in his last six bouts but is coming off a win over Pedro Munhoz on August 22, 2020. Edgar is 5-6 tall with a reach of 68 inches while fighting out of the orthodox stance.

Edgar is coming off an upset but coming up with one here may be more difficult. Sandhagen has the takedown defense to stuff Edgar’s attempts. On the feet, he has faster hands and quicker feet that should pick Edgar apart. Ar -402, he comes in very expensive though and you might be tempted to go with Edgar at big plus money. However, I think Sandhagen has this.

Prediction: Cory Sandhagen

Alexandre Pantoja vs Manel Kape

Alexandre Pantoja is a former flyweight champion from the Resurrection Fighting Alliance and Shooto Brazil. The 30-year old from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil was a semi-finalist at the TUF: Tournament of Champions. Pantoja has a record of 22-5 with 8 knockouts and 8 wins via submission. He is 5-5 tall with a reach of 67 inches and fights out of the orthodox stance.

Manel Kape is a former champion at the Rizin Fighting Federation. The 27-year old from Angola is just 4-3 in his last seven bouts. He has a record of 15-4 with nine knockouts and 5 wins via submission. Kape is 5-5 tall with a reach of 68 inches while fighting out of the southpaw stance.

Pantoja is an aggressive fighter who throws great combinations. But Kape has the speed and counter-punching to neutralize those strengths. Pantoja has high-level jiu-jitsu so look for him to chase submissions. However, Kape may be difficult to take down. Both men should have their moments but in the end, Kape’s harder shots will be what the judges see.

Prediction: Manel Kape

Cody Stamann vs Askar Askar

Cody Stamann is the no. 13 ranked bantamweight in the UFC. The 31-year old known as Mr. Wonderful is a former Michiana Fighting League bantamweight champion who joined the UFC in 2017. After winning his first three UFC bouts, Stamann is just 2-2-1 in his last five fights. He is an orthodox fighter who stands 5-6 tall and has a reach of 64 inches. His record stands at 19-3 with six knockouts and two wins via submission.

Illinois native Askar Askar takes over from Andre Ewell who tested positive for COVID-19. Askar is a veteran of Hoosier Fights, LFA, and Titan FC. He has a record of 11-1 with five knockouts and one win via submission. The 26-year old Askar, who will be making his Octagon debut in the event, is an orthodox fighter who stands 5-7 tall.

Askar likes to go for takedowns and top control. The Palestinian also has good striking. Stamann is a fighter who can do a little bit of everything. He manages distance well and has a powerful double-leg shot which makes for a very effective controlling style. I think Stamann is a very tough opponent for someone’s UFC debut. Askar is talented but Stamann can handle himself in most areas. By scoring takedowns and effective striking from range, Stamann wins this fight on points.

Prediction: Cody Stamann

Carlos Diego Ferreira vs Beneil Dariush

Carlos Diego Ferreira is the UFC’s 10th ranked lightweight. The 36-year old is the former Legacy FC lightweight champion. After going 2-2 in his first four UFC bouts, Ferreira has won six straight fights. In his last bout, Ferreira submitted Anthony Pettis at UFC 246. Ferreira is an orthodox fighter who stands 5-9 tall with a reach of 74 inches. His record stands at 17-2 with three knockouts and seven wins via submission.

Beneil Dariush is the no. 13 ranked lightweight in the UFC. The 31-year old from Yorba Linda, California is a former world BJJ champion. He heads to this bout having won his last five bouts, including three which earned him Performance of the Night honors. Dariush is a southpaw who stands 5-10 tall with a reach of 72 inches. His record is 19-4 with five knockouts and eight wins via submission.

Ferreira has become one of the UFC’s top pressure fighters. He marches forward with combinations and uses cage positioning to set up takedowns. When he takes the fight to the ground, his excellent grappling takes over. Dariush kickboxing has come a long way under Rafael Cordeiro. But Dariush has thrived in brawls during his recent run. But Ferreira’s grinding style could prove to be troublesome for Dariush’s gas tank.

Prediction: Carlos Diego Ferreira

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