UFC Vegas 18 took place Saturday, February 6, 2021 at UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. The card was headlined by a heavyweight bout between Alistair Overeem and Alexander Volkov.
Closing odds are courtesy of one of the most popular Las Vegas based sportsbooks Circa Sports. Here’s a quick recap of each of those fights.
Favorites that Won
In the main event of the evening, Alexander Volkov battered Alistair Overeem on the feet and fended off Overeem’s takedowns to set up a bloody second round TKO victory. Volkov was -165 while Overeem was +145
Cory Sandhagen beautifully timed Frankie Edgar’s forward advancement and ducking down with a perfect flying knee that knocked Edgar out cold in just 28 seconds. Sandhagen came through as a heavy -340 favorite while Edgar was +285
Alexandre Pantoja went back and forth with dangerous striker Manel Kape in an exciting and competitive three round brawl, but the judges sided with Pantoja when it was all said and done. Pantoja was -115 while Kape was -105
Beneil Dariush smartly utilized a combination of superior striking and takedowns to neutralize Diego Ferreira and did enough to win a split decision (that should have been unanimous) in their rematch. Dariush was -135 while Ferreira was +115
Devonte Smith and Justin Jaynes both battered each other for two rounds, but Smith did more damage, eventually forcing a doctor stoppage in round two when Jaynes’ eye was closing shut. Smith was -350 while Jaynes was +290
Karol Rosa outlanded Joselyne Edwards on the feet, then mixed in takedowns and top position to cruise to a one-sided unanimous decision victory. Rosa was -190, while Edwards was +165
Timur Valiev landed heavy leg kicks on the feet, then completely controlled Martin Day with takedowns and top position on the canvas en route to a one-sided unanimous decision victory. Valiev was -500 was while Day was +395
In the opening bout of the evening, Ode Osbourne blasted Jerome Rivera with a crisp left hand, which dropped him and set up a fight-ending blitz in just 26 seconds. Osbourne was -210 while Rivera was +180.
Underdogs that Won
Clay Guida outworked Michael Johnson with a slick combination of pressure on the feet, clinch work and takedowns to take away Johnson’s dangerous striking and win a unanimous decision. Guida was +160 while Johnson was -185
Danilo Marques wisely took the fight to the floor quickly against dangerous striker Mike Rodriguez, wearing him down and eventually choking him out cold late in the second round. Marques was +200 while Rodriguez was -235
Lara Procopio held her own with Molly McCann on the feet, then completely dominated McCann with takedowns and top position on the canvas en route to a unanimous decision victory. Procopio was -107 while McCann was -113
Seung Woo Choi fended off Youseff Zalal’s takedowns in the first two rounds, outstriking him and landing a takedown of his own in each round, then Choi survived a late submission attempt to walk away with a unanimous decision victory. Choi was +200 while Zalal was -235
