Cyril Gane and Alexander Volkov at UFC 310 ceremonial weigh-in Credit: Gabriel Gonzalez/Cageside Press
A heavyweight rematch on the main card of UFC 310 pitted Cyril Gane against Alexander Volkov.
Gane won the first match, but the stakes were a little higher this time. Although it is far from official, there is a possibility of advancing to the title match if both players perform well. Who will ask that question, and it probably won’t be answered until the Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall situations are sorted out.
The towering Volkov got Cyril Gane out of shape early, and Volkov pounced on him, getting a takedown within the first minute. “Drago” settled into side control, with France’s Gane scrambling out. Volkov will end up in half guard. Gane then used an underhook to get back up and escape.
But after a bit of back-and-forth, Gane landed a big takedown, scooping up the huge Volkov and flipping him onto his back. Volkov closed his guard and fired a hammerfist at his back, but it had no effect. Gane transitions into a heel hook, which allows Volkov to get back to his feet. Near the end of the first round, Volkov landed a kick to the body and Gane caught him with a knee to the body. Gane defended the ensuing takedown with a guillotine, but it was a close fight. It could have been the end for Alexander Volkov, but he was saved by the horn.
In the second round, Volkov’s spinning backfist landed him clean right at the start, but Gane seemed to recover. The Russian heavyweight stayed on Gane and almost hit him with a high kick right away. Meanwhile, Gane connected cleanly with a right hand, but Volkov’s bodywork was impressive. Cyril followed up with a few leg kicks, while Volkov continued to defend his center. With less than 90 seconds left, Gane lands another right hand and Volkov fights back. Gane then scored a takedown and Volkov defended with a guillotine. Gane eventually fell back and the pair stood up in the final moments of the round.
Early in the third round, Alexander Volkov went for a takedown, but it was Gane who turned the tables and almost came out on top. Volkov continued to move, circling around Gane, but the French heavyweight targeted the kimura and caught his arm. Gane tried to get his leg up over Volkov’s head for submission leverage, but was completely unable to pull it off. That gave Volkov time to get on top and Gaen looked tired. Volkov wasn’t able to do much offensively, but Gane wasn’t producing much more. And although the referee warned Volkov to do his job, he did not think about taking the position and allowed the match to end there.
Although it was a close battle, there was a clear argument for Volkov’s victory. “Drago” seemed shocked to hear the result, and Gane actually exited the cage before returning to his post-match interview. In it, he told Joe Rogan that he believed his toe was broken on the first kick of the match. When asked why he left the cage after the verdict was read, Gane admitted he was “not happy” with the performance.
Official result: Cyril Gane def. Alexander Volkov (split decision) (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
