UFC Vegas 18: Fighter Previews

Alistair Overeem- According to Alistair Overeem, Alistair Overeem is the uncrowned king of the heavyweight division. “The Reem” still believes he has what it takes to be UFC champion and will look to confirm that belief against Alexander Volkov. To give credit where credit is due, Overeem has looked sharp in a recent stretch that has seen him win 4 of his last 5 fight dating back to November, 2018. Many have argued that Overeem would be on a 5 fight win streak if it weren’t for a final second knockout from Jairzinho Rozenstruik. Although Alistair has looked good, his competition of late may have caused an inflated sense of status among the division. Overeem has not secured a top 5 win since defeating Fabricio Werdum in 2017. If he is going to convince the world he is still relevant he is going to have to dispatch of his highest ranked opponent in two and a half years.

(UFC)

Alexander Volkov- Is Alexander Volkov already a gatekeeper of the heavyweight division? The Russian striker is 5-2 since joining the UFC in 2017, but he seems nowhere close to the title picture. The UFC heavyweight division moving slower than Rocky, Patrick Star’s pet rock and not the legendary and ironically very fast fictional boxer, could be to blame for Volkov’s absence in the discussion. Only 3 men have fought for the UFC heavyweight belt since 2018; Daniel Cormier, Stipe Miocic, and Derrick Lewis. The first two men engaging in a legendary heavyweight rivalry spanning the course of 3 title fights in 2 years bogged down the movement of the division, but I want to focus on the latter, Derrick Lewis. “The Black Beast” earned his title shot with a last second win over, you guessed it, Alexander Volkov. Volkov was picking Lewis apart on the feet and was 11 seconds away from an assumed UD win. This is where Volkov wishes he had the powers of the great Raven Baxter. Volkov could’ve visioned the massive right hand from Lewis knocking him out of consciousness and knocking him out of the illustrious “remember when DC fought somebody else before the Stipe rematch” title shot. Volkov has since gone 2-1 with wins over the very athletic but very despised Greg Hardy and the extremely lovable and professional, basically the opposite of Hardy, Walt Harris. If Volkov can get through Overeem, he can put his hand in the air for a possible number 1 contender fight.

(fansided.com)

Cory Sandhagen- The dark horse of the bantamweight division, Cory Sandhagen is one fight away from a shot at the belt. Sandhagen has gathered some impressive, and well-deserved, hype in his short time in the UFC. Since debuting in January, 2018, the long and rangy Sandhagen was taken out the who’s who in 135 pound division. After riding a 5 fight win streak to start his career, with wins over John Lineker and Rapheal Assuncao, Cory was matched up with Frankie Edgar in what would be Frankie’s debut at 135 and likely a number one contender fight. The January 2020 booking never came to fruition as Edgar pulled out of the bout to take a short-notice fight at 145 against “The Korean Zombie.” Frankie got knocked out, probably not a good call by Frankie on that one. But this opened up the opportunity for another challenger. This other challenger was Aljamain Sterling, a fast paced, strong, and diverse fighter who would likely have the strength advantage over Cory. A much much different matchup than Edgar. This would turn out to be Cory downfall as Sterling ran through Sandhagen quickly handing him his first loss in the promotion. But Cory isn’t one to stay down however, he turned back around quickly and literally turned around very quickly knocking out former title challenger Marlon Moraes with a slick spinning back kick. Now Sandhagen finds himself back where he was before, matched up with Frankie Edgar for a likely shot at the belt for the winner. The dark horse of the division could finally get his call to the biggest spot in the sport if he can take out a man who built his career of durability.

(Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC. via Getty Images)

Frankie Edgar- Remember that guy who built his career of durability, yeah that’s Frankie Edgar to the core. The former 155 pound champion looked good in his lone fight at bantamweight winning a split decision over Pedro Munhoz. Before we go any further, can we acknowledge how crazy it is that Frankie was lightweight champion? I know guys didn’t cut as much weight back then but Frankie is built like a skinny Danny Devito, and him standing next to Dustin Poirer might look like the movie Twins, but anyways lets continue. Frankie’s move to bantamweight has given Frankie’s career a second wind, or third wind. He is now a viable contender in the weight class after looking done at 145 and, as I so comedically mentioned, being way too small for the current lightweight division. Frankie, much like “The Reem”, believes he has one more run at gold in him. If Frankie can take out Sandhagen he is in a great position to snatch his hype and move directly into the title picture. If he were to lose, Frankie has the luxury of cool “old-guy” fight with Aldo and Cruz, so he’s in a good spot. Part of journalistic integrity is to remain unbiased at all time, but if you don’t like Frankie Edgar I don’t like you and nobody else does.

(Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC.)

Marion Reneau- Every division needs gatekeepers and Marion Reneau has settled into that role. Reneau has certainly held her own since her debut in 2015 securing wins over former strawweight champion Jessica Andrade and olympian Sara McMann. Despite these wins, Reneau’s status as a gatekeeper is more to do with her losses, which include Holly Holm, Cat Zingano, and Yana Kunitskaya. All three of those women went on to earn a title shot, with Holm winning hers. Reneau is riding a three fight losing streak and could be fighting for her place in the organization against Macy Chiasson.

(Halejestam/USA Today Sports)

Macy Chiasson- Macy is looking to breakthrough with the biggest win of her career against Marion Reneau. As stated before, a win over Reneau puts anyone in a good position in the women’s bantamweight division. Chiasson started off her career with one of the best pushes you can get in combat sports, winning The Ultimate Fighter. Former TUF winners, and non winners, have gone on to do great things in the sport. It’s kinda like American Idol, sometimes the best singer doesn’t win. Like really who decided voting Jennifer Hudson off was a good idea, and David Archuleta over Adam Lambert, like really?!? T.J. Dillashaw could be Jennifer Hudson in this scenario. Back to Macy, coming off the Ultimate Fighter she was seen as a promising new light to a division that has been bogged down by a dominant champion. She rose to the occasion finishing her first two opponents and looking like a promising force in the division. A loss to Lina Lansberg in a fight where Macy was a -450 favorite put a halt to her rise. Macy has since bounced back with a UD win over Shanna Young and could make herself known again with a victory on Saturday.

(Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC. vis Getty Images)

Alexandre Pantoja- Alexandre Pantoja has started his UFC career with a “warning track power” sort of bang. Pantoja immediately established himself as a player in the flyweight division with his appearance of season 24 of The Ultimate Fighter. He secured impressive wins on the show before losing in the semifinals. Since coming off the show, Pantoja is 6-3 with 2 wins over current number one contender Brandon Moreno and a first round finish of division mainstay Wilson Reis. The losses, however, are where Pantoja’s “warning track power” comes into play. Pantoja has lost high profile opportunities to Dustin Ortiz, Askar Askarov, and current champion Deiveson Figueiredo. Pantoja, unlike Reneau, is too young in my opinion to be considered a gatekeeper. Dan Hardy predicted Pantoja to be the champion by the end of the year in BT Sport’s yearly predictions. I’m not sure if I would go that far, but a win over the hottest prospect in the division would go a long way in getting Pantoja one more chance to hit one over the fence.

(Logan Riely/Getty Images)

Manel Kape- Manel Kape is the flyweight Michael Chandler and nobody is talking about it. The UFC are hyped, like “just bleed” level hyped, to have Manel Kape on their roster. The former Rizin bantamweight champion Kape comes into the UFC with a cape on his back. Solid wordplay. Thank you. If his placement against the number 5 ranked Pantoja in his debut wasn’t enough to prove this, Kape was chosen as the backup for the flyweight title fight between Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno. The guy hasn’t even fought in the UFC and they were gonna give him a title shot. Somebody call Joe Soto! In all seriousness, Kape is a great addition to the roster. With wins over former title challenger Ian McCall and UFC veteran Takeya Mizugaki, Kape has already proven himself as a viable contender in this division. The UFC hasn’t had a hot prospect work out at flyweight ever. If Kape can build a name and brand off of a solid performance against Pantoja, he could find himself in a title shot a lot quicker that we realize.

(Gabriel Gonzalez/Cageside Press)

Cody Stamann- Cody Stamann is better than people realize, but he’s really got to pick a division. Stamann’s UFC career hasn’t gained the ability to pick up traction, even though he holds an overall record of 19-3-1 with UFC wins over Bryan Caraway and Terrion Ware. Cody has bounced up and down from bantamweight to featherweight with losses and a draw mixed into the madness. He has the ability to be a top fighter in the bantamweight division if he can string together wins and stay active in one division over the year. Cody’s only loss at 135 came to current number one contender Aljamain Sterling. After a loss to Jimmie Rivera at 145 in his last outing, hopefully this move down to 135 is permanent and can spark a run for “Spartan.”

(Gregory Payan/AP)

Askar Askar- Askar Askar is officially nominated for biggest cojones on the card. Askar will be making his UFC debut on 7 days notice when he takes on UFC vet Cody Stamann. Askar has racked up an impressive 11-1 record in LFA and other regional promotions. He will look to steal the hype and name of Cody Stamann and propel himself into the top 15 of the UFC bantamweight division.

(tapology.com)

Diego Ferreira- Diego Ferreira is in a position that many UFC fighters face. He is almost a certified top 10 lightweight in the world, but he doesn’t have the big name win on his resume to prove it. Just ask Leon Edwards how that feels. Diego is in a limbo with fans trying to decide if he is really good, or if his opponents haven’t been quality. Ferreira has recently reinvented himself and his image later into his career with a 6 fight win streak. This streak includes a win of Rustam Khabilov and his most impressive win to date, a finish of former lightweight champion Anthony Pettis. Diego will now look to avenge one of his two UFC losses against Beniel Dariush. This fight is coming at an important time in both men’s career as they are both older and looking to breakthrough to the top 10 of the most loaded division in MMA. This card is full of veterans who are trying to push for one last run at the belt, and based off his most recent performances, Diego Ferreira has as good a shot as anyone to make it happen.

(Mark J. Rebilas/USA Today Sports)

Beniel Dariush- Remember this picture?

That was from a Beniel Dariush fight. Enough said. Dariush is a fan favorite in the UFC who is finally stringing together enough wins to be considered one of the elite in the division. His current five fight winning streak is one of the most entertaining in the sport today including a brutal spinning backfist knockout of Scott Holtzman and a comeback of the year contender knockout against Drakkar Klose that produced one of the best MMA memes of all time. Dariush has been around a long time, but some could argue he is just now entering his prime at 31. With a resume that includes wins over Michael Johnson, Jim Miller, James Vick, and his next opponent Diego Ferriera, Dariush could be one win away from a massive fight at 155. They say once you hit one home run, it’s easier to hit the second, and Dariush has a chance to hit back to back jacks against Ferreira and cement himself as a late blooming title contender.

(sherdog.com)