The UFC 254 main card featured a promising matchup between two top-ranked heavyweight contenders in Alexander Volkov and Walt Harris. Both fighters were looking to get back into the win column after suffering losses in their previous fights, but in the end, it was Volkov who came out on top.
While there was no shortage of blows traded between the two, both fighters were aware of the potential knockout power their opponent possessed. Volkov picked his shots carefully, countering Harris' power with accuracy (and some power of his own).
Volkov appeared to take the first round, especially after his near finish at the end. After clipping Harris with a left hand, Volkov went in for the finish and started his barrage of strikes. But the veteran Harris turtled up and defended nicely before countering with some heavy blows of his own.
Building on his success in the first round, Volkov continued with his strategy of staying at range and countering his opponent's attack. Looking to close the gap, Harris went in for a takedown but was met with a big front kick that landed cleanly in the midsection. The shot sent Harris reeling backward in visible pain. He immediately crumpled to the canvas and turtled up as Volkov went in for the finishing strikes.
Although it appeared at first that it may have been a low blow, replays showed a clean shot to the midsection. With the win, the No. 7-ranked Volkov moves to 32-8. Now back in the win column, Volkov would like to get back into title contention.
“I proved I will be here for a long time,” Volkov said in his post-fight interview. “I’m going for the title. Alistair Overeem, (Junior) Dos Santos or (Jairzinho) Rozenstruik. Anyone who can take me back to the belt.”