UFC Vegas 18 featured two MMA legends in the headlining fights, and both suffered devastating setbacks.
In the headliner, multi-title champ Alistair Overeem couldn’t get past the size and strength of Alexander Volkov, who battered him with punches before finishing the fight with a left hand that forced referee intervention at the 2:06 mark of the second round.
Former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar’s dream of capturing a UFC title at bantamweight may have ended with a flying knee thrown by Cory Sandhagen, who sent him stiff to the canvas just 28 seconds into Saturday’s co-main event.
Check out what pros had to say about UFC Vegas 18.
Alistair Overeem vs. Alexander Volkov
The MEME Alistear OVEREME !!!!
— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) February 7, 2021
The Reem going to move a lot and out grapple Volkov! Thoughts? #UFCVegas18
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) February 7, 2021
Yea. He’s smart to know that he shouldn’t be trading at his age anymore. He’s been cracked by Ngannou but that mans power is different different https://t.co/885bnupu2B
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) February 7, 2021
This cage feels too small for Reem and Volkov
— Funky (@Benaskren) February 7, 2021
Power Shots Exchanged #UFCVegas18 #ESPNPlus @espn @ufc @espnmma
— Dominick Cruz (@DominickCruz) February 7, 2021
It sucks watching legends get old!
— Funky (@Benaskren) February 7, 2021
Great stoppage. Volkov is an enormous man. Shows how good Blaydes wrestling is. A guy that tall and big isn’t easy to get down. #UFCVegas18 #TheWeeklyScraps!
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) February 7, 2021
@AlexDragoVolkov is a next for the title shot #ufcfight18
— Juan Espino El Guapo (@juan_espino_ofi) February 7, 2021
The power is just on another level ⬆️ #UFCVegas18 #ESPNPlus @espn @ufc @espnmma #AlistairOvereem #alexandervolkov
— Dominick Cruz (@DominickCruz) February 7, 2021
It’s a draw @ufc
— Derrick Lewis (@Thebeast_ufc) February 7, 2021
— Derrick Lewis (@Thebeast_ufc) February 7, 2021
Good jod Volkov you’re now playing on the big men field. Be careful it’s Slippery #UFCVegas18
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) February 7, 2021
Cory Sandhagen vs. Frankie Edgar
No disrespect at all to The Reem and Volkov, but here’s my main event! Let’s bring it gentlemen! Title shot in the wings. This division is DEEP! #UFCVegas18 #TheWeeklyScraps!
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) February 7, 2021
I always wondered why Frankie Edgar does that chest flex thing before every fight #UFCVegas18
— Brian BOOM Kelleher (@brianboom135) February 7, 2021
Hey .@PetrYanUFC who you got winning this??
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) February 7, 2021
Jerseyyyyy #UFCFightNight
— Katlyn Chookagian (@blondefighter) February 7, 2021
Nevermind https://t.co/6oMEKpmRGM
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) February 7, 2021
Wow nasty wow OMG
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) February 7, 2021
Dang 🙁
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) February 7, 2021
Give that man a title shot!!! Cory Sandhagen is the real deal #UFCVegas18
— Megan Anderson (@MeganA_mma) February 7, 2021
That’s the Nastiest Knock out ive seen in 2021 #UFCVegas18
— Julian marquez (@JMarquezMMA) February 7, 2021
— Dan “50k” Ige (@Dynamitedan808) February 7, 2021
Sandhagen #ufc
— Dominick Reyes (@DomReyes) February 7, 2021
Ugh that sucks. https://t.co/xJrBNPy7py
— Funky (@Benaskren) February 7, 2021
Glad Frankie is up and ok. that was a beast of a shot #UFCVegas18 #TheWeeklyScraps!
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) February 7, 2021
That’s how you get the title shot #UFCVegas18 @espn @ufc
— Dominick Cruz (@DominickCruz) February 7, 2021
Edgar is legend, time to move on. Good win for Cory. But hard to forget what my next opponent did to him. We’ll see what happens next
— Petr “No Mercy” Yan (@PetrYanUFC) February 7, 2021
This is a dangerous game and anyone can get got. See you March 6th https://t.co/l6Fntfx0dB
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) February 7, 2021
Clay Guida vs. Michael Johnson
Let’s go my dude MJ!!! #ufcvegas18
— Zak Cummings (@ZakCummings) February 7, 2021
Very glad to see Johnson back at 155. There was a point where he beat 3 of the Top 5 guys at lightweight. Guida looking like a savage rn tho! Like he turned back the clock of Father Time! #UFCVegas18 #TheWeeklyScraps!
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) February 7, 2021
— Dan “50k” Ige (@Dynamitedan808) February 7, 2021
Guida is chucking that right
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) February 7, 2021
I love watching @clayguida fight! We have both been fighting for 18 years. He’s still so sharp and strong. How cool. #warrior @ufc #ufc #ufcvegas18
— Roxanne Modafferi (@Roxyfighter) February 7, 2021
20-18 Guida! #UFCVegas18
— Josh Emmett (@JoshEmmettUFC) February 7, 2021
Great fight between Guida and Johnson
— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) February 7, 2021
This is NOT considered a TD for those watching! No control! I honestly wonder if judges know that position. Crazy pace for 3 RDs so far.#UFCVegas18 #
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) February 7, 2021
Isn’t Clay Guida like 50 years old !
— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) February 7, 2021
Vintage Guida is still getting better! Love it! #UFCVegas18
— #OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) February 7, 2021
I believe in the reborn. @clayguida #ufcvegas18
— Juan Espino El Guapo (@juan_espino_ofi) February 7, 2021
Clay Guida is a living Legend! And an honorary member of The Wild Stallions! #UFCVegas18 pic.twitter.com/zEH2zqpCYW
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) February 7, 2021
This was a compliment. Dude has been in ufc for 30 years. I got love for Clay Guida. You guys in the comments just have trouble understanding https://t.co/xODlDHshDH
— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) February 7, 2021
Alexandre Pantoja vs. Manel Kape
Pantoja vs Kape great fight… Good matchmaking! #ufcvegas18 @ufc
— gregor gillespie (@gregor_the_gift) February 7, 2021
Solid round for Pantoja mixed it up well kicks, punches and a takedown #ufcvegas18
— Charles Rosa (@CharlesRosaMMA) February 7, 2021
Kape output was way too low to win either first or second. Pantoja should win for sure
— Anthony Rocco Martin (@TonyRoccoMartin) February 7, 2021
To much waiting and dancing for manel
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) February 7, 2021
This commentary man. I think Pantoja clearly won that lol why did they make it’s seem so close
— Erik Jon Koch (@NEWBREED04) February 7, 2021
Carlos Diego Ferreira vs. Beneil Dariush
Man this ones gonna be
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) February 7, 2021
I hope we get to see some grappling out of these 2 black belts!! #UFCVegas18
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) February 7, 2021
High level fight
— Dan “50k” Ige (@Dynamitedan808) February 7, 2021
What a fight!!!
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) February 7, 2021
YOO! These guys are scrapping!! I love this new style of fighting for Dariush but how many fights can you have like that is my question? Right now, it’s fun as hell to watch! #UFCVegas18
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) February 7, 2021
I love watching @beneildariush compete. This one is great so far. #UFCVegas18
— Zak Cummings (@ZakCummings) February 7, 2021
Man they’re both dogs what a fight
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) February 7, 2021
Fotn! Both guys brought it start to finish! #ufcvegas18
— BRYAN BARBERENA (@bryan_barberena) February 7, 2021
Judge needs to be fired
— Anthony Rocco Martin (@TonyRoccoMartin) February 7, 2021
30-27 @beneildariush all day. Travesty averted.
— Justin Gaethje (@Justin_Gaethje) February 7, 2021
@beneildariush it’s an absolute beast!! beast!! How the fuck was that, first 29-28 and second a split decision?!?!#ufcfightnight
— Marvin Vettori (@MarvinVettori) February 7, 2021
Split decision?! Nahhh. Good job @beneildariush #UFCVegas18
— Max Griffin (@MaxPainGriffin) February 7, 2021
Split?? No way. Complete domination by @beneildariush
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) February 7, 2021
Mike Rodriguez vs. Danilo Marques
Wet blanket. #UFCVegas18
— Mike Jackson, Esq. (@TheTruthJackson) February 7, 2021
Great coaching by @JoeLauzon if Rodriguez listens …he’s in good shape #UFCVegas18
— Charles Rosa (@CharlesRosaMMA) February 7, 2021
Impressive performance by Marques. Smothering style killing Rodriguez’s game until he gave the choke up #UFCVegas18
— Damien Brown (@beatdown155) February 7, 2021