Alistair Overeem Returns At UFC’s Next Event On Russian Soil
The UFC is headed back to Russia, and longtime veteran Alistair Overeem is coming with them.
Promotion officials announced this morning that the UFC will return to Russia for an event on April 20 from the Yubileyny Sports Complex in St. Petersburg. Headlining the card will a potentially heavy-hitting bout between heavyweights Overeem and Alexander Volkov.
“The Reem” only just got back into the win column at last year’s UFC Beijing, where he demolished Sergey Pavlovich. He had suffered two highlight-reel knockout losses to Curtis Blaydes and Francis Ngannou in his previous two bouts. The decorated striker has participated in an incredible 62 MMA bouts. He is the former Strikeforce, DREAM, and K-1 Grand Prix champion.
The Russian Volkov will need a big win in his home land to bounce back due to his most recent defeat. Dominating Derrick Lewis for the majority of their fight at October’s UFC 229, Volkov was finished by a Hail Mary knockout in the final minute. The win earned ‘The Black Beast’ a title shot at Daniel Cormier as a result. The shocking finish also ended Volkov’s four-fight win streak.
Three other fights were also announced for the card. Roxanne Modafferi will take on Antonina Shevchenko at women’s flyweight. Pavlovich vs. Marcelo Golm and Marcin Tybura vs. Shamil Abdurakhimov will also showcase the heavyweights further.
