UFC free fight: Alexander Volkov stops Walt Harris with brutal body kick

Alexander Volkov repositioned himself into heavyweight title contention with a pivotal win over one of the division’s most prolific finishers.

Looking to get back in the win column, Volkov (32-8 MMA, 6-2 UFC) faced Walt Harris at UFC 254, which took place in October on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.

It was an aggressive start from both men, as Harris came out firing. Volkov countered with a few solid shots of his own, pressuring Harris against the cage with a variety of strikes. Towards the end of Round 1, Volkov hurt Harris with a left hook, but Harris was able to weather the storm by throwing heavy leather to get out of harm’s way.

But in Round 2, Volkov kept his foot on the gas pedal, eventually landing a body kick that had Harris wincing. The Russian followed it up with a barrage of punches, stopping Harris just over one minute into the second round.

Volkov returns to action Saturday when he takes on Alistair Overeem (47-18 MMA, 12-7 UFC) in the main event of UFC Fight Night 184, which takes place at UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Before he faces Overeem, relive Volkov’s finish of Harris in the video above.