UFC Fight Nigh 18 might just have been Alistair Overeem’s very last fight in professional MMA and the UFC. The 32 year old heavyweight has had a long career in combat sports already and knows what this could mean for Overeem to hang up his gloves.
Alistair Overeem has a stunning record in MMA with a total of 66 fights, 47 wins and 19 losses. His career started back in 1999 and he has been a behemoth ever since, dominating heavyweight divisions and being one of the most recognisable fighters in the UFC.
In a tweet just days before the fight, Alistair revealed that this could be his final fight if he doesn’t win with the veteran stating his time was ‘coming to an end’ and that he would make one last push for the title.
I still love this sport, the training and everything about it. But I also have to be realistic: my time is coming to an end.
One final run because I believe the UFC title will be mine. The time is now. pic.twitter.com/JiMod5VK9O
— Alistair Overeem (@Alistairovereem) February 4, 2021
The referee called the fight in the second round after a left hook from Volkov connected with Overeem’s face and dropped him.
After that, Alistair was on his knees in the centre of the octagon and blood pumping from his face. This was when Volkov kneeled down next to him to share kind words and pay respect to a true legend of the game.
Kneeling in the cage after their fight, @AlexDragoVolkov and @Alistairovereem shared words of encouragement 🤝 #UFCVegas18 pic.twitter.com/chW5wSeMmV
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) February 7, 2021