The UFC machine returns to Las Vegas as yet another successful stint on Fight Island comes to a close. The returning Fight Night card hosts a heavyweight main event that is sure to be defining from a title perspective. Moreover, the heavyweights billed on the marquee are strikers and fight fans are looking for a clinical stand-up battle.

Alistair Overeem comes in with a strong strength of schedule as he takes on heavyweight big man, Alexander Volkov. The fight card competing with the NFL’s Super Bowl weekend has a main card that shapes up as pay-per-view caliber. Chiefly, there’s added interest in the bout, as the heavyweight title picture is sure to change soon at an upcoming show.

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UFC heavyweights: Alistair Overeem vs Alexander Volkov

The 65-fight veteran in Overeem has gone 4-1 in his last five outings and has looked sharp from the get-go. He TKO’ed surging up and comer Augusto Sakai in September and truly solidified his intentions to make another run at gold. Moreover, his last career loss to Jairzinho Rozenstruik came after he was completely dominating ‘Bigi Boy’, but got caught at the end of the fight.

Additionally, ‘The Demolition Man’ has integrated some comprehensive grappling into his arsenal as of late. His striking resume lulls opponents into a sense of surety that he’ll strike before he quickly secures a body lock. Not to mention, Alexander Volkov doesn’t have the same durability that he once did, and this plays to Overeem’s advantage.

Alexander Volkov comes in with a tall frame and more importantly perhaps is his ability to use it to his advantage. ‘Drago’ likes to strike in the pocket and lands devastating shots when he chains combinations together. Bolo Uppercuts mixed with check hooks have become somewhat of a staple and he can easily drop opponents.

Volkov is coming off a TKO win of his own, where he stopped Walt Harris back at UFC 254. His last loss was the fight before where he wasn’t able to keep up with Curtis Blaydes and his takedowns. Should he manage to keep the fight at his range, Alistair Overeem still has the edge in the grappling department. Ultimately, this could lead to problems as the fight drags on.

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Prediction: Alistair Overeem to claim a fourth-round TKO win