‘Big Ticket’ Aiming To Win UFC Heavyweight Title Then Immediately Retire

Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC

Heavyweight contender Walt Harris will be looking to brush off a recent TKO loss to Alistair Overeem when he faces Alexander Volkov tomorrow afternoon (Sat., Oct. 24, 2020) at UFC 254 live on ESPN+ PPV from inside Flash Forum on “Fight Island” in Abu Dhabi.

This is a massive fight for “Big Ticket” to say the least. Not only is Harris trying to get back into the UFC win column after coming up short against Overeem this past May, but he’ll do so against one of the most physically intimidating fighters in the division. Harris is currently a betting underdog and will have to pull out all the stops to take out the usually stoic “Drago.”

If Harris is able to defeat Volkov on one of the biggest cards of the year it will do wonders for his heavyweight stock entering 2021. The 37-year-old contender hasn’t been the most consistent fighter in the division since his arrival back in 2013, but Harris has seemingly turned a corner of late. He has become a more complete fighter capable of taking out almost anyone in his way.

While Harris is hoping to fight his way to the top and eventually earn his first UFC title shot, “Big Ticket” doesn’t plan on sticking around for ever. If he ends up getting to the big dance and winning the UFC heavyweight championship it will be enough to walk away from MMA.

“I’m gonna get it (the belt) and I’m leaving, I’m done. I’m not even gonna defend it. I’m just gonna win it and I’m out,” Harris told UFC.com.

Harris, who has become one of the most dangerous knockout specialists in the weight class, will have to overcome Volkov’s size and reach to get inside and land his shots. It won’t be easy as Volkov possesses solid striking defense, but “Big Ticket” is counting on his training and preparation to put him in a position to win.

“I think this fight is huge for me because coming off the loss to Overeem, I wasn’t set back much,” said Harris. “I’m getting an opportunity to beat Volkov and put myself right back in the mix. It’s almost like nothing ever happened with Overeem. I look at it as a blessing. I get an opportunity to keep my name relevant and keep my name in the mix and keep chasing that title that I so desperately want. So I’m excited. I’ve been training my butt off for so long for this and I’m ready.”

It should be noted that Volkov has lost just twice since making his UFC debut back in 2016. That came against wrestler Curtis Blaydes this past June and knockout artist Derrick Lewis, who pulled off a massive come-from-behind finish over “Drago” at UFC 229 two years ago.

MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 254 fight card RIGHT HERE, starting with the ESPN+ “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. ET, then the remaining undercard balance on ESPN+/ESPN2 at 12 p.m. ET, before the PPV main card start time at 2 p.m. ET on ESPN+.