UFC Vegas 56 is in the books and Alexander Volkov ended the night on a high. In the main event, he took on Jairzinho Rozenstruik in an important fight in the heavyweight division. Volkov was coming off a loss against Tom Aspinall at UFC London earlier in the year.
But it did not seem to affect Volkov in the slightest. He did a lot of conditioning training for the fight. But ironically he finished the contest within the very first round. Jairzinho seemed very impatient from the opening bell. He was coming off a defeat as well. Hence, trying to prove a point, Bigi Boy lunged forward with massive punches.
Back in the win column for DRAGO! Way to close out the show! @AlexDragoVolkov #UFCVegas56 pic.twitter.com/ewRqssQHzp
— UFC (@ufc) June 4, 2022
One punch initially poked through Volkov’s defence which seemed to wake him up. He subsequently landed a picture-perfect counter shot which rocked Rozenstruik. Nicknamed Drago, Volkov followed it up with a flurry of big punches that ultimately sat Jairzinho down.
Alexander Volkov comments on the stoppage against Jairzinho Rozenstruik
The referee Herb Dean stopped the contest at 2:12 of the first round. Following the stoppage, Jairzinho Rozenstruik was adamant that the bout was stopped early. To be fair to him, Rozenstruik immediately got up as soon as the ref called the fight.
While Alexander Volkov was landing his finishing blows, it seemed as if Jairzinho was almost on the verge of being put to sleep. Hence, the referee stopped the fight which ultimately stopped Volkov from inflicting any more damage. Fighters always want to go out on their shields. Hence, Rozenstruik’s frustration was understandable.
IN THE POCKET! @AlexDragoVolkov gets it done! #UFCVegas56 pic.twitter.com/VBRq3SN6QU
— UFC (@ufc) June 4, 2022
What did the victorious fighter have to say about the stoppage? The Russian was asked about his opinion on the stopped from Herb Dean. During his in-ring interview with Paul Felder, Alexander Volkov added,
“I’m feeling like I can finish him if it had continued because he go out. Because of referee stopped us (I couldn’t stop him). I know he’s not good defence (with his) back to the cage. So I see him back to the cage and (I) go forward for the knockout.”
Volkov then went on to speak about his future plans. He is ready to get back in the Octagon as soon as possible after the big win over Jairzinho Rozenstruik. He will look to fight someone in the Top 5 after tonight. Maybe he will get to fight the loser of Tom Aspinall vs Curtis Blaydes or loser of the rumoured fight between Ciryl Gane and Tai Tuivasa.
Was Jairzinho Rozenstruik right to be upset after UFC Vegas 56?
The reaction online has been very divisive. While some people thought that the stoppage was justified, others were not too sure about it. It did look like Rozenstruik was almost on the verge of being knocked out. Hence there is a portion of the audience that has shown support for Herb Dean.
Fight was over. Herb saved Rozenstruik
— 4th And Long Media (@4thandlongmedia) June 4, 2022
No problem with that stoppage. #UFCVegas56
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) June 4, 2022
However, there are others who have stuck up for Rozenstruik. At the time of the stoppage, Jairzinho was not fully floored by Volkov. He even popped up right as Dean waved off the bout. Hence the calls of it being a bad stoppage have also arisen. Esteemed MMA and Boxing journalist Ariel Helwani is of that opinion as well.
he never was out or even got dropped you gotta give the guy a chance.
— Ryan Romani (@ryan_romani) June 4, 2022
Rozenstruik escapes by running away, it’s a pattern, it isn’t fight ending body language
🫤
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 4, 2022
Bad stoppage. Doesn’t count.
Do you think it was a bad stoppage? What were your initial impressions? Let us know in the comments down below.