UFC Predictions: UFC Fight Night: Alexander Volkov vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik predictions
![Alexander Volkov (left) vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik (right) is this weekend's headline bout [Image via @jairzinho.rozenstruik on Instagram]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2022/05/be021-16538117696624-1920.jpg?w=500)
After a week away from our screens, the UFC returns to action with their latest Fight Night card from the Las Vegas Apex this upcoming Saturday.
UFC Fight Night: Alexander Volkov vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik features a big heavyweight headline bout and plenty of other exciting clashes up and down the card.
Will any title pictures be affected on Saturday? Perhaps not, but given the amount of action these fights can produce, this show should be worth checking out.
Here are the predicted outcomes for UFC Fight Night: Alexander Volkov vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik.
#1. UFC heavyweight division: Alexander Volkov vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik
While both Alexander Volkov and Jairzinho Rozenstruik remain entrenched in the top ten at heavyweight right now, they are also coming off a loss, making this bout a truly pivotal one for them.
Sure, neither man is likely to be cut by the UFC for a loss here, but the loser will certainly not find himself in title contention again anytime soon. At the same time, the winner could be elevated into another big fight in the future.
On paper, at least, this promises to be a clash of strikers. Volkov and Rozenstruik have 14 victories in the octagon between them, and just four of those wins have gone the distance. Interestingly, they all came from ‘Drago’, as Rozenstruik has only ever lost when his fights have reached the final buzzer.
Does that mean ‘Bigi Boy’ is less of a threat as the fight goes on? In truth, that’s not the case. It’s arguable that his biggest ever career win came over Alistair Overeem in late 2019 – and that victory came in the dying seconds of the fifth round.
Jairzinho Rozenstruik knocked out Alistair Overeem in the last second, one year ago today
#UFC
https://t.co/0Z0L6I1vty
However, it's probably safe to say that the native of Suriname is perhaps less rounded than his opponent this weekend. Rozenstruik is a concussive striker with pinpoint, accurate shots, but when he’s been put on his back, he’s looked very much like a fish out of water.
On the other hand, Volkov is somewhat more comfortable going to the ground. His top control is pretty solid, he’s got decent enough takedowns if he wants to use them, and while he didn’t look great on his back against Tom Aspinall, it isn’t like ‘Bigi Boy’ will look to replicate that gameplan.
#UFCLondonTom Aspinall has ARRIVED 💪 #UFCLondon https://t.co/GUVWxBCpW5
This fight is still likely to take place on the feet despite ‘Drago’ seemingly having a path to win on the ground. In that case, it’s probably wiser to favor Rozenstruik to come out on top.
Volkov does have his usual reach advantage, but it’ll only give him 2” in this bout, and the fact is that ‘Bigi Boy’ is the more explosive and sharper striker, and he hits harder, too. Volkov has only been stopped by strikes once in the UFC – against Derrick Lewis – but he has been dropped on numerous occasions, and if Rozenstruik lands on him like that, he’s likely to put him away.
Perhaps the closest comparison to this fight – albeit a crude one – would be Mark Hunt’s 2013 meeting with Stefan Struve, and so the pick is ‘Bigi Boy’ via KO.
The Pick: Rozenstruik via second-round KO