UFC Vegas 18: Overeem vs. Volkov main card picks and predictions.
Diego Ferreira (17-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC) vs. Beneil Dariush (19-4-1 MMA, 13-4-1 UFC)
Ferreira vs Dariush is a rematch in the lightweight division. After starting his professional career by going 11-0, Dariush handed Ferreira his first loss back in 2014 at UFC 179 where he defeated him by unanimous decision. Both fighters are currently on impressive win streaks. Ferreira, 6-0 in his last six bouts, finished former lightweight champ Anthony Pettis by rear-naked choke in the second round of his last fight at UFC 246, last January. Dariush, 5-0 in his last five bouts, is coming off a first-round spinning backfist knockout over Scott Holtzman at UFC Vegas 6, last August. Ferreira appears to be in tremendous shape heading into this bout.
Prediction: Dariush via decision
Alexandre Pantoja (22-5 MMA, 6-3 UFC) vs. Manel Kape (15-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC)
Pantoja vs. Kape is a bout in the UFC’s flyweight division between two heavy hitters. Pantoja will be looking to be the spoiler in Kape’s UFC debut. He is coming off a loss in his last fight to Askar Askarov, last July. Kape, who formerly fought for RIZIN, has won his last three bouts by KO/TKO all in the second round. Both fighters have a 68″ reach going into this bout.
Prediction: Pantoja via submission
Michael Johnson (19-16 MMA, 11-12 UFC) vs. Clay Guida (35-20 MMA, 15-14 UFC)
Johnson vs. Guida is a bout in the UFC’s lightweight division between two veterans of the sport. There is a lot on the line in this matchup as both fighters are currently on losing streaks. Johnson will be looking to keep this fight on the feet while Guida will be looking to take the fight to the ground where he will look to implement some of his legendary ground and pound.
Prediction: Johnson via KO/TKO
Cory Sandhagen (13-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC) vs. Frankie Edgar (24-8-1 MMA, 18-8-1 UFC)
Sandhagen vs. Edgar is a great fight in the bantamweight division. With Sandhagen being the fighter on the rise, he will be looking to make a name off Edgar by defeating him in impressive fashion on Saturday. Edgar, who most would say is in the fourth quarter of his career, will be looking to play spoiler against Sandhagen. This is another matchup between opposing fighting styles. It is no secret that Sandhagen will be looking to keep the fight standing while Edgar will be looking to nullify his opponents height and reach advantage by taking the fight to the ground where his skills should reign superior.
Prediction: Sandhagen via KO/TKO
Alistair Overeem (47-18 MMA) vs. Alexander Volkov (32-8 MMA)
Overeem vs. Volkov is a bout in the UFC’s heavyweight division. This is a matchup between two biggest strikers the division has to offer. Overeem, 40, is currently on a two-fight win streak after finishing his last two opponents, Walt Harris and Augusto Sakai via ground and pound. Volkov is coming off a win over Walt Harris that took place UFC 254, last October. Volkov will have the height, reach, and age advantages heading into this bout.
Prediction: Overeem via decision
UFC Vegas 18 takes place tonight at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event will be streamed live on the ESPN+ streaming app.
