Alexander Volkov knew what he had to do against Jairzinho Rozenstruik not extended just after he began seeing some of “Bigi Boy’s” more mature fights.
Rozenstruik is a person of the UFC heavyweight division’s biggest punchers, but his downfall is a a lot less-than-stellar protection. Volkov’s approach was to drive Rozenstruik against the cage and fire at him when he did not have room to transfer.
As the Russian suspected, Rozenstruik remaining loads of openings and Volkov took whole advantage. A large straight correct hand hurt Rozenstruik and despatched him stumbling. Volkov opened up with a flurry of pictures, most of which were being landing on the chin.
Referee Herb Dean leaped in at 2:12 of the initial to quit it and give the seventh-rated Volkov the victory in the key party of UFC Vegas 56 Saturday at Apex in Las Vegas.
The bout was essential for equally adult males. Heavyweight winner Francis Ngannou stays injured and isn’t envisioned to return right until late in the year. Former light heavyweight winner Jon Jones has moved to heavyweight and is expected to debut later on this 12 months versus ex-champion Stipe Miocic, even though no date has been established.
Ciryl Gane, Tai Tuivasa, Curtis Blaydes, Derrick Lewis and Tom Aspinall are all rated ahead of Volkov. The winner of Saturday’s bout could keep in that blend with the loser dropping into the next-tier.
Rozenstruik briefly protested the stoppage, but he was blasted with a hard correct suitable on the chin and then took a series of clean pictures on the chin.
The loss was his next in a row and 3rd in his last four. After opening his UFC vocation by likely 4- with four knockouts, he’s 2-4 considering that and has been concluded twice.
Volkov necessary the earn for the reason that he was coming off of a initially-round submission decline to Tom Aspinall.