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UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs Volkov delivered a ton of action, and will perhaps go down as one of the 2018 calendar year’s most surprising fight cards in terms of high-paced, action fights.
Volkov emerged as a possible UFC Heavyweight title contender with a star-making performance against a game former UFC Heavyweight titlist Fabricio Werdum. Meanwhile, the co-headliner of the evening saw two Light-Heavyweight strikers battle in a barnburner.
Additionally, several other intriguing matchups also transpired on the card—finishes galore—the complete results of which have been noted as follows—
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#Main Card (UFC Fight Pass)
#1 Alexander Volkov vs. Fabricio Werdum
Alexander Volkov, who has previously served as Fabricio Werdum’s training partner, seemed to have expertly utilized his experience of handling the BJJ 'Vai Cavalo' , so as to beat the ex-Heavyweight kingpin.
Volkov defended Werdum’s submission attempts with excellent technique and, maintained his composure throughout the fight. His boxing was on point, as was his defensive wrestling.
Volkov busted up Werdum’s right eye, which was almost swollen shut heading into the 4th stanza of the matchup before, “Drago” landed the fight-ending uppercut that was followed by a single surgical ground strike that put Werdum to sleep.
Result: Alexander Volkov def. Fabricio Werdum via KO (Punches) (Round 4, 1:38)
#2 Jan Blachowicz vs Jimi Manuwa
Blachowicz lost a decision to Manuwa back in 2015, however, the kickboxer came out all guns blazing this time around—dropping the “Poster Boy” to establish the rhythm of the fight.
Blachowicz then utilized great footwork and movement to stay at bay from Manuwa’s wide hooks. In the end, the judges scored the bout in favor of Blachowicz—in what was a fairly one-sided affair.
Result: Jan Blachowicz def. Jimi Manuwa via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
#3 Tom Duquesnoy vs Terrion Ware
Tom Duquesnoy had some trouble in the early going with Ware’s handling of the distance and timing.
However, in Round 2, Duquesnoy adjusted and, began utilizing long-range shots rather than planting his feet and swinging in the pocket. Duquesnoy edged this one on the scorecards, not only owing to the fact that he out-struck Ware, but also controlled the pace of the fight after a few tense moments early.
Result: Tom Duquesnoy def. Terrion Ware via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
#4 Leon Edwards vs Peter Sobotta
Leon Edwards put on an amazing performance for the fans in attendance at the O2 Arena in London, England.
Edwards overcame considerable adversity over the course of this matchup, primarily due to Sobotta’s deceptively dangerous grappling skills. Edwards showcased excellent submission defense and took this fight into the deep waters.
Edwards then postured up, during a scramble, and rained down heavy leather on Sobotta, earning a last-second stoppage as the referee stepped in to wave off the bout.
Result: Leon Edwards def. Peter Sobotta via TKO (Punches) (Round 3, 4:59)
#Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass)
#1 Charles Byrd vs John Phillips
Charles Byrd put on a dominant performance against a seemingly over matched John Phillips.
Byrd dominated the brief matchup in every avenue, before locking on a slick Rear-Naked Choke on Phillips. The end came in the very first round of the fight, as the choke seemed tight with Phillips failing to successfully defend it despite implementing the requisite technique to counter it.
Result: Charles Byrd def. John Phillips via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) (Round 1, 3:58)
#2 Danny Roberts vs. Oliver Enkamp
Danny Roberts made short work of his opponent Oliver Enkamp, by landing a crushing left-hand square on the jaw.
Roberts tested the range by sliding in and out, eating a few kicks in the process. However, something noteworthy which preceded the end is, that Enkamp threw the same oblique kick multiple times while stationary, whereas Roberts kept moving laterally.
Roberts then timed one of Enkamp’s incoming oblique kicks and, tagged the latter with a left hand which crumbled Enkamp.
Result: Danny Roberts def. Oliver Enkamp via KO (Punch) (Round 1, 2:12)
#3 Danny Henry vs Hakeem Dawodu
Danny Henry was expected to serve as a stepping stone for highly regarded prospect Hakeem Dawodu.
However, the opposite turned out to be true, as Henry tagged Dawodu with a beautiful 1-2 from long range. After dropping his foe to the mat, Henry relentlessly pursued the Guillotine Choke and sunk it in after a couple of scrambles to put Dawodu to sleep.
Danny Henry def. Hakeem Dawodu via Technical Submission (Guillotine Choke) (Round 1, 0:39)
#4 Paul Craig vs Magomed Anakalaev
Paul Craig was the recipient of a hellacious beat-down over the course of 3 rounds.
Nevertheless, just when it appeared as though Ankalaev was cruising to a decision victory, Craig—who was on his back at the time—slapped on a Triangle Choke on Ankalaev and squeezed as though his life depended on it. The tap came almost instantly, as Craig ended up submitting Ankalaev in the last second of the bout.
Result: Paul Craig def. Magomed Ankalaev via Submission (Triangle Choke) (Round 3, 4:59)
#5 Kajan Johnson vs Stevie Ray
Kajan Johnson engaged in a back and forth battle with Stevie Ray, which could’ve easily gone either way.
However, despite the fact that the bout was fairly close in both the striking and grappling departments, Johnson displayed better striking technique and landed a tad more than Ray. In the end, Johnson’s seemingly superior striking was enough to sway the judges in his favor.
Result: Kajan Johnson def. Stevie Ray via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
#6 Dmitriy Sosnovskiy vs Mark Godbeer
Sosnovskiy seemed agiler than he has been over the past few fights, and against Godbeer, said agility came in handy.
Sosnovskiy appeared to be getting the better of Godbeer on the feet, and the fight was likely heading towards the former possibly knocking out Godbeer. Regardless, the fight hit the mat, and Sosnovskiy sunk in a beautiful Rear-Naked Choke for the victory.
Result: Dmitriy Sosnovskiy def. Mark Godbeer via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) (Round 2, 4:29)
