UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Volkov
| Company type | Mixed martial arts event |
|---|---|
| Industry | Sports |
| Founded | February 6, 2021 |
| Headquarters | Enterprise, Nevada , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Parent | Ultimate Fighting Championship |
UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Volkov—also referred to as UFC Fight Night 184, UFC on ESPN+ 42, and UFC Vegas 18—was a mixed martial arts competition organized by the Ultimate Fighting Championship. It took place on February 6, 2021, at the UFC Apex facility located in Enterprise, Nevada, within the Las Vegas Metropolitan Area.
Background
The main event featured a heavyweight clash between Alistair Overeem, former Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion and UFC title contender as well as the 2010 K-1 World Grand Prix Champion, and Alexander Volkov, who previously held the Bellator Heavyweight World Championship.
A bantamweight fight showcased Cory Sandhagen facing off against former UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar. Their originally scheduled encounter was postponed from January 2020 after Edgar was reassigned to compete against Chan Sung Jung.
A flyweight bout between Alexandre Pantoja and ex-Rizin FF Bantamweight Champion Manel Kape was rearranged for this card following Pantoja’s withdrawal from a December matchup due to COVID-19 symptoms.
An initially arranged bantamweight bout between Merab Dvalishvili and Cody Stamann was delayed after Stamann’s withdrawal. Subsequently, Dvalishvili also pulled out while recovering from COVID-19. Replacement fighter Andre Ewell tested positive for COVID-19 and was substituted by newcomer Askar Askar, who ultimately failed medical clearance on the day of the event, resulting in cancellation of the fight.
The middleweight contest between Wellington Turman and Aliaskhab Khizriev was canceled after Turman withdrew because of pneumonia; Khizriev later competed against Kyle Daukaus at UFC Fight Night 189.
A featherweight bout initially planned between Steven Peterson and Seung Woo Choi experienced changes when Peterson withdrew due to injury. Promotional newcomer Collin Anglin stepped in but was later replaced by Youssef Zalal for undisclosed reasons.
In the women’s bantamweight division, former UFC Women’s Flyweight Champion Nicco Montaño withdrew from her fight against Karol Rosa for undisclosed causes; Joselyne Edwards took her place.
The bantamweight matchup featuring Julio Arce versus Timur Valiev shifted when Arce withdrew; Martin Day filled in, and the fight proceeded at featherweight.
A lightweight bout between Alex da Silva Coelho and Devonte Smith was modified following Coelho’s withdrawal; Justin Jaynes replaced him with the contest set at a 160-pound catchweight.
Featherweights Ode' Osbourne and Jerome Rivera faced each other after original opponent Denys Bondar withdrew during fight week. Their previously scheduled flyweight bout on January 30 had been canceled.
The women’s bantamweight fight between Marion Reneau and Macy Chiasson was postponed multiple times due to Reneau testing positive for COVID-19, ultimately rescheduled for UFC on ESPN: Brunson vs. Holland.
Bonus awards
A $50,000 bonus was awarded to fighters as follows:
- Fight of the Night: Beneil Dariush vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira
- Performance of the Night: Alexander Volkov and Cory Sandhagen