LONDON – Alexander Volkov struggled with Fabricio Werdum’s vaunted ground game in the early going, but “Drago” was able to survive on the mat early before finishing his opponent on the feet late.
The heavyweight bout was the main event of today’s UFC Fight Night 127 event at The O2 in London. It streamed on UFC Fight Pass.
Werdum did run forward with his traditional fight-starting flying kick, smiling at his opponent when it missed and then changing levels and quickly taking the action to the canvas. With Volkov forced to guard, Werdum postured and punches when he saw the openings.
Volkov briefly worked to a seated position, but Werdum drug him off the cage and resumed his attack. Werdum postured repeatedly, bringing down big right hands. Volkov was finally able to pick an ankle and sweep his way to the top, and a big uppercut landed on the feet, stunning Werdum. Volkov continued to strike, landing a few stiff punches, and Werdum fell pretty willingly to the canvas. Volkov didn’t follow, but it didn’t matter, since Werdum scored another takedown in the final minute. Werdum finished the round on top, but it came at a price, with his right eye visibly busted up at the bell.
Werdum threw a few big kicks to open the second, but he quickly looked to get the action back down to the canvas. Volkov was up to the task, easily pushing his opponent and keeping range. Volkov caught another kick and swept his opponent to the floor but immediately backed away and told Werdum to stand.
Werdum did get the action down with a takedown just past the halfway mark of the frame. and he again looked to strike while Volkov worked a closed guard. The crowd got restless at points, as Werdum controlled from the top and looked to strike. An elbow opening a gash on Volkov’s forehead, and Werdum tried for a kimura late in the round but couldn’t break his opponent’s grip.
Werdum again rushed forward with a flying kick to start the third, though Volkov easily stepped to the side. Volkov landed a right hand on the feet, and Werdum staggered briefly before rolling through and earning a takedown. Volkov was able to move back to his feet, and Werdum’s right eye was a complete mess. He tried to arm drag Volkov to the floor, earning completes of grabbing the glove, but the fight returned to the feet.
With Werdum visibly slowing, Volkov tried to set him up for a decisive blow. However, Werdum stayed mobile and declined to offer a steady target. Werdum willingly went to the floor, grabbing a leg and nearly taking the back, but Volkov was able to slip away after a few concerning moments. Werdum dove for a takedown in the final minute, but he simply couldn’t get the action to the canvas.
Volkov walked forward in the fourth, looking to capitalize on the feet. Werdum countered by diving for the leg and then looking to slip under and move to the back. Volkov prevented the move, settling in his opponent’s guard and staring angrily at him when Werdum simply tried to control the wrists.
Volkov backed away to reset, and when Werdum moved to the feet, it marked the beginning of the end. Landing a few clean right hands, Volkov staggered his opponent and immediately seized his opportunity. Sensing a chance to finish, Volkov continued to unleash punched, sending Werdum crashing to the canvas. Volkov followed, and referee Marc Goddard halted the contest at the 1:38 mark of the fourth.
Volkov (30-6 MMA, 4-0 UFC) has now earned back-to-back stoppage wins, while Werdum (23-8-1 MMA, 11-5 UFC) sees a two-fight winning streak snapped.
Up-to-the-minute UFC Fight Night 127 results include:
- Alex Volkov def. Fabricio Werdum via knockout (punches) – Round 4, 1:38
- Jan Blachowicz def. Jimi Manuwa via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
- Tom Duquesnoy def. Terrion Ware via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
- Leon Edwards def. Peter Sobotta via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 4:59
- Charles Byrd def. John Phillips via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:58
- Danny Roberts def. Oliver Enkamp via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 2:12
- Danny Henry def. Hakeem Dawodu via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 0:39
- Paul Craig def. Magomed Ankalaev via submission (triangle choke) – Round 3, 4:59
- Kajan Johnson def. Stevie Ray via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Dmitriy Sosnovskiy def. Mark Godbeer via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 4:29
For complete coverage of UFC Fight Night 127, check out the UFC Events section of the site.