UFC Fight Night 115 turned out to be a Russian showcase event on Saturday night and was exemplified no better than headline act Alexander Volkov breathing new life into the heavyweight division.
Taking on a revitalised Stefan Struve in his home country, Alexander Volkov’s accurate strikes and high work rate proved too much for the 7 foot Dutchman and recorded his fifth straight win with a third round TKO stoppage.
Elsewhere, Siyar Bahadurzada made a successful return to competition as he put his heavy hitting style on display to Rob Wilkinson’s chagrin, Marion Reneau proved that even 40-year olds can still do the business in the Octagon while the preliminary card was filled with Russian fighters putting on dominant performances.
With the UFC now rolling again after a month long break, let’s suggest five fights for the UFC matchmakers to consider with a special look at the nights big winners from England and Russia:
Alexander Volkov vs Werdum/Lewis Winner
‘Drago’ Volkov has breathed new life into the upper echelons of the UFC’s heavyweight division as the lanky striker picked his spots against Stefan Struve with the help from trainer Semmy Schilt in his corner.
The Russian fighter is exemplary in his use of range and is equally adept at punishing his opponents up close and personal.
Volkov deserves a no.1 contender fight in his next outing and by facing the winner of the upcoming UFC 216 bout between Fabricio Werdum and Derrick Lewis, the victor of that bout would be in line for a heavyweight title bout next year.
Leon Edwards vs Niko Price
Leon Edwards has quietly racked up four wins in a row at welterweight and has rounded out his game in doing so.
With a move to American Top Team, Edwards can lay the claim to being England’s wrestling extraordinaire and his grappling style helped him earn a decision win against perennial spoiler Bryan Barberena.
Edwards has just two losses on his UFC record, a unanimous decision loss to Kamaru Usman and a dubious split decision to Claudio Silva, and ‘Rocky’ is probably just shy of the promotion’s top 15 rankings.
A match-up with Niko Price would surely see the winner jump into that elusive top 15.
Darren Till vs Peter Sobotta
After yet another impressive showcase of his striking ability, the overly confident Darren Till called out Santiago Ponzinibbio in order to see who is the ‘best striker in the welterweight division’.
While that fight would no doubt produce fireworks, it’s more than likely too soon for the Scouse Brazilian who has had just four fights in the UFC.
Dan Hardy produced a much more reasonable suggestion for Till’s next opponent on commentary in the form of Peter Sobotta and that fight would test Till’s grappling.
Mairbek Taisumov vs Charles Oliveira
Mairbek Taisumov is a dangerous man.
With five straight KO’s in the lightweight division, Taisumov has become a feared man in a shark tank of a division.
A fight with Charles Oliveira would mark the biggest test of Taisumov’s career and provide an insight into just how far the Russian can go at 155 lbs.
Zabit Magomedsharipov vs Alex Caceres
It’s a name that is incredibly hard to spell but Zabit Magomedsharipov is certainly a name that won’t be forgotten in the future.
Working with the likes of striking coach Mark Henry, Magomedsharipov has been tipped to claim UFC gold and honestly, that end goal wouldn’t be all that shocking based on his performance at UFC Fight Night 115.
Despite Zabit calling out Artem Lobov, a bout between the two would have to wait and be dependent on Lobov defeating Andre Fili in their upcoming bout and that would simply be too long a wait to see Magomedsharipov fight again.
A featherweight bout with Alex Caceres would be incredibly fun to watch and that’s what the fight game is all about for the fans of MMA.