Alistair Overeem and Alexander Volkov will finally have their heavyweight clash in February.
After previous bookings between the two have failed to materialize, Overeem (47-18 MMA, 12-7 UFC) and Volkov (32-8 MMA, 6-2 UFC) will finally lock horns in a UFC Fight Night headliner on Super Bowl weekend. UFC president Dana White announced the news to broadcast partner ESPN on Thursday.
The event takes place Feb. 6 but does not have an official location or venue. It’s likely to air on ESPN or stream on ESPN+.
Overeem, No. 6 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie heavyweight rankings, is in the the midst of making a final title run in his career. At 41, the former Strikeforce, DREAM and K-1 champion has won four of his past five, with the lone loss coming against Jairzinho Rozenstruik in a stoppage Overeem has heavily protested.
The Dutchman will continue his pursuit for a final title shot against Russia’s Volkov, who is ranked No. 8 and coming off a second-round TKO of Walt Harris at UFC 254 in October. The 32-year-old has finished 25 of his career wins by stoppage.
Volkov was originally scheduled to face Overeem at UFC on ESPN+ 7 in April 2019 but withdrew due to health issues.