UFC Fight Night 184: Overeem vs. Volkov | Event Profile, Full Results & Legacy
- Conor McBragger
- May 21
- 6 min read
Introduction
UFC Fight Night 184: Overeem vs. Volkov took place on February 6, 2021 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas — UFC Vegas 18 and the UFC’s first Las Vegas event of the new year. The heavyweight main event pitted Alistair Overeem, on a run that seemed to be building toward one final title shot, against the towering Alexander Volkov, who had been steadily establishing himself as one of the most dangerous contenders in the division.
Volkov TKO’d Overeem in round two to announce himself at the very top of the heavyweight division. In the co-main, Cory Sandhagen produced one of the most spectacular knockouts of the year — a perfectly timed flying knee that ended Frankie Edgar’s bantamweight aspirations in under 30 seconds. Beneil Dariush and Carlos Diego Ferreira produced a Fight of the Night rematch. A clean, quality card to open 2021.
Contents
Quick Stats
📅 Date: Saturday, February 6, 2021
📍 Venue: UFC Apex, Enterprise, Nevada, USA (UFC Vegas 18)
👥 Attendance: 0 (behind closed doors — COVID-19 pandemic)
📺 Broadcast: ESPN+ (UFC on ESPN+ 42)
🏆 Main Event: Alistair Overeem vs. Alexander Volkov — Heavyweight (5 rounds)
✅ Result: Alexander Volkov def. Alistair Overeem via TKO (Punches) (Round 2, 2:06)
🥇 Champion: Title not on the line
The Build-Up
Alistair Overeem entered FN 184 having won four of his last five, including back-to-back TKO wins over Walt Harris and Augusto Sakai. At 40 years old, he was openly discussing this being the final chapter of his career and aiming for one last shot at the heavyweight title. His opponent, Alexander Volkov, was coming off a second-round stoppage of Walt Harris and was widely considered one of the most technical strikers in the heavyweight division.
The co-main event was the bantamweight return of Cory Sandhagen, fresh off his title-earning spinning wheel kick KO of Marlon Moraes, now facing Frankie Edgar — a former UFC lightweight champion who had moved to bantamweight and was fighting his way back toward contention. The Dariush-Ferreira rematch on the undercard added a subplot: Ferreira had beaten Dariush in their first meeting at UFC 242, and Dariush wanted revenge.
Main Event: Volkov vs. Overeem
Alexander Volkov stopped Alistair Overeem with a second-round TKO at 2:06 in the most dominant performance of his UFC career to that point. Volkov opened a cut on Overeem in round one and steadily built his advantage, working effectively behind the jab and controlling distance with his reach. In round two, he increased his output, landing increasingly clean shots and forcing Overeem to stumble. A final left hand sent Overeem to the canvas and Volkov followed up to seal the stoppage.
The win placed Volkov firmly at the top of the heavyweight contender rankings. For Overeem, this marked his final competitive performance at the top level — his long and celebrated career had finally reached its end point after decades as one of the most decorated fighters in combat sports history.
Co-Main Event: Sandhagen vs. Edgar
Cory Sandhagen knocked out Frankie Edgar with a flying knee at 0:28 of round one — one of the fastest and most visually spectacular KOs of 2021. Sandhagen recognised Edgar’s forward-moving entry, timed it perfectly, and launched a flying knee that connected flush on the jaw. Edgar crumpled instantly. The technique was technically flawless, produced in under 30 seconds, and delivered against a former lightweight champion who had spent years at the top of the sport. Performance of the Night was an obvious call.
Full Results
Main Card
Alexander Volkov def. Alistair Overeem — TKO (Punches) (Round 2, 2:06) — Performance of the Night
Cory Sandhagen def. Frankie Edgar — KO (Flying Knee) (Round 1, 0:28) — Performance of the Night
Clay Guida def. Michael Johnson — Decision (Unanimous) (Round 3, 5:00) | 30-27 x3
Alexandre Pantoja def. Manel Kape — Decision (Round 3)
Karol Rosa def. J. Edwards — Decision (Round 3)
Preliminary Card
Beneil Dariush def. Carlos Diego Ferreira II — Submission — Fight of the Night | Dariush’s revenge win in rematch
Bonuses & Awards
🥊 Fight of the Night: Beneil Dariush vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira II ($50,000 each)
🏆 Performance of the Night: Alexander Volkov ($50,000) — TKO of Alistair Overeem, Round 2, 2:06
🏆 Performance of the Night: Cory Sandhagen ($50,000) — Flying knee KO of Frankie Edgar, Round 1, 0:28
Records & Milestones
🥊 Cory Sandhagen’s 28-second flying knee KO of Frankie Edgar was the fastest finish of his career and one of the fastest KOs in UFC bantamweight history. Edgar, who had entered the sport as a 155-pound champion, was unable to cope with Sandhagen’s timing and athleticism.
🥊 Volkov’s win was his most significant in the UFC and placed him directly in contention for the heavyweight title. He had now won two of his previous three UFC bouts via finish.
🥊 The Dariush-Ferreira rematch gave Dariush a revenge win after losing their first meeting at UFC 242. The FotN win put Dariush back on a winning track that would eventually see him enter the top five of the lightweight rankings.
Legacy & Impact
UFC Fight Night 184 is remembered primarily for two moments. First, Sandhagen’s 28-second flying knee KO of Edgar — the kind of highlight that immediately enters the conversation for KO of the Year and reaffirmed that Sandhagen was one of the most technically gifted and dangerous fighters at bantamweight. Second, Volkov’s measured, clinical dismantling of one of the most experienced heavyweights in MMA history.
For Overeem, FN 184 was effectively the end. One of the most decorated combat sports careers in history — spanning Strikeforce, Pride, DREAM, K-1, and the UFC — reached its conclusion against a patient and clinical fighter who simply had more in the tank. Overeem would not fight again at the highest level. Sandhagen’s performance, meanwhile, pushed him directly toward a title shot.
FAQ
Was UFC Fight Night 184 Alistair Overeem’s last UFC fight?
Yes, effectively. Overeem entered FN 184 discussing this phase of his career as his final run. Following the TKO loss to Volkov, he was released from the UFC and went on to fight in other promotions. The Volkov fight is regarded as the last significant competitive appearance of his UFC career. His record in the UFC ended at 10-8.
How did Sandhagen land the flying knee on Edgar so quickly?
Edgar is known for charging forward aggressively from the opening bell, and Sandhagen anticipated that entry. As soon as Edgar stepped in, Sandhagen launched a flying knee that caught him perfectly on the chin. The technique required precise timing, athleticism, and confidence — all qualities Sandhagen had shown consistently in his UFC run. The 28-second finish was one of the fastest of 2021.
Why was Dariush vs. Ferreira II a notable fight?
Beneil Dariush had lost their first meeting at UFC 242 in September 2019 via unanimous decision, ending a two-fight winning streak. The rematch here was Dariush’s chance to prove that result was an aberration. He submitted Ferreira to earn his revenge and the Fight of the Night bonus, maintaining his run as one of the most complete lightweights in the top 10.
What happened to Sandhagen after his FN 184 win?
Sandhagen’s flying knee KO of Edgar earned him a bantamweight title shot against Petr Yan. The fight took place at UFC 267 in October 2021, where Yan retained the title via unanimous decision. Sandhagen continued to fight near the top of the division and remained one of the most entertaining and technically gifted bantamweights in the UFC.
Why is Frankie Edgar’s bantamweight career so significant?
Edgar was the UFC Lightweight Champion from April 2010 to February 2012 and spent years as one of the most consistent top-10 featherweights in the division. Moving to bantamweight was his attempt to find a division where he could compete for a title again late in his career. The Sandhagen loss was the most damaging of those bantamweight outings, but Edgar continued to compete in the UFC until retiring following a loss to Marlon Vera in April 2022.
References
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