Alexander Volkov and Ciryl Gane will go to war tonight (Sat., June 26, 2021) in a main event Heavyweight clash from inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada at UFC Vegas 30. Volkov has been grinding against tough Heavyweight talent for years and years, but “Drago” finally seems primed to make his run to the top. The former Bellator champion has put on mass, and that additional strength translates to heavier punches and kicks. On the flip side, Gane’s rise to the Heavyweight elite has been damn near meteoric. In his ninth professional bout, “Bon Gamin” is hunting for a title shot!
Ultimately, one man will take a significant step closer to Heavyweight gold. Strap in for tonight’s main event and follow along below for live updates and highlight clips:
Round One
Volkov opens with low kicks. Quick jab from Gane. Volkov finds a glancing right hand and low kick. Snap kick from the Russian. Another good jab from Gane. Heavy body kick scores for Gane, answered by a low kick. Body shot counter from Volkov. Lots of simultaneous kick trades between the two big men. Ganes goes for his first takedown of the fight and times it well, but Volkov pushes him off. Volkov leading the dance with his right kicks. Gane finds a left hand.
10-9 Volkov
Round Two
Quick jabs from Gane early on. Side kick from the Frenchman. Volkov continues to find the outside low kick. Hard low kick from Gane, followed by a left hand land. Stabbing body kick from Volkov. Gane scores well with a step in knee. Cross to the body for “Drago.” Big hook-cross combo from Volkov backs his foe off momentarily, but Gane soon answers with an overhand. Snapping jab from Gane. Stiff jab counter for Volkov to a low kick. Another competitive round!
10-9 Gane
Round Three
Volkov trades a low kick for a left hook in the opening exchange. Gane lines up a left hand along the fence. Another cross for the French athlete. Volkov catches a kick and lands while Gane is off-balance. Body jab from Gane. Nice left hook from Orthodox scores for Gane. Gane scores a hard jab, but his double leg attempt is stuff. Gane starts opening up, tries a jump knee. Volkov lands a hook-cross in the center — the Russian desperately needs to punch more. Hard left kick to the body from Gane, then a cross to the breadbasket. Great combination from Gane, punctuated by a power uppercut. Hard push kick from Gane, who really picked it up in the third. He ends the round with a combination.
10-9 Gane
@Ciryl_Gane making his presence known in RD 3!
[ #UFCVegas30 | LIVE on @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/Qewt2pedFS
— UFC (@ufc) June 26, 2021
Round Four
Volkov attacking behind his right hand to start round four. Stiff lead leg teep from Gane, who fired back with some counter shots. Gane landing well, but he takes a heavy uppercut — Volkov’s best punch of the fight? Gane goes back to the jab. Volkov denies a takedown and lands a couple punches. The two are trading in the pocket a bit more. Volkov is throwing in combination more and landing a bit better as a result. Gane still sticking quick punches and hard lead leg kicks. Nasty jab from Gane, followed by a hard left kick to the mid-section. Volkov finds a right then takes another body kick. Huge overhand from Gane, but somehow Volkov takes it. Volkov started well, but Gane took back the round.
10-9 Gane
Round Five
Gane’s right jab is so quick, and it snapped Volkov’s head back early. Left hook connects for Volkov, but Gane is landing in combination. Gane lands a pair of step knees to the chest. Volkov finds a nice jab. Gane is rolling after his cross, landing his right hook to follow up. Gane scores an overhand. Gane is really in control, landing at a much higher clip — as he had for much of the fight. An eye poke stalls the action, and it’s a bad one. Eventually, te two return to action, and Gane lands a big left kick. Volkov lands a few low kicks, but he’s unable to find the big shot he needs to rally.
10-9 Gane
Result: Ciryl Gane defeats Alexander Volkov via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46)
For complete UFC Vegas 30: “Gane vs. Volkov” results and play-by-play, click HERE!