It was a battle of top five heavyweights on Saturday night at UFC 310 as former interim titleholder Ciryl Gane returned to MMA’s biggest spotlight for a clash with streaking Russian sensation Alexander Volkov.
The last time we saw ‘Bon Gamin’ was in September 2023 when he scored a second-round knockout against Serghei Spivak in his native Paris. In the time since, Volkov has landed wins against Tai Tuivasa and Sergei Pavlovich, extending his unbeaten streak to four and launching himself into the No. 3 spot in the lightweight rankings.
Round 1
Ciryl Gane gets things started with a couple of calf kicks. Gane throws a push kick to the midsection that Volkov catches and uses it to take Gane down. Volkov immediately gets into side control. Much to the surprise of the commentary team, Gane scrambled his way back up and clinched Volkov against the fence. Volkov reverses the position and looks to muscle Gane down with a body lock. Gane greats Volkov’s grip and returns to the center of the Octagon.
Volkov throws a right hand that Gane sees coming from a mile away. ‘Bon Gamin’ ducks under, secures a double leg takedown and settles into Volkov’s closed guard. Gane looks to lock in a heel hook, but Volkov spins out of it back gets back to his feet. Both fighters reset in the center of the cage and Volkov unleashes a nice body kick to the body. Gane throws a looping left hand that misses the mark. Gane follows that up with a knee to the body that Volkov catches and uses to once again take Gane down.
Gane grabs a hold of Volkov’s neck on the way down and appears to have a guillotine cinched in, but there’s not enough time on the clock to finish it.
Round 2
Gane and Volkov trade shots early in the second round. Gane continues to attack his opponent’s lead leg, but Volkov rocks Gane with a spinning back fist. Gane shoots for a quick takedown, but there’s nothing on it and Volkov fends it off with ease. Volkov nearly catches Gane with a head kick at the 90-second mark. Volkov throws another high kick with a jab behind it as Gane continues to work Volkov’s lower half effectively. Gane lands a jab followed by a nasty right hand.
Gane nearly lands an uppercut. Volkov fires back with a body kick and eats a jab for his trouble. Gane lands an inside leg kick and appears to hurt Volkov with a right hand. Volkov fires back immediately, but Gane changes levels and scores his second takedown of the fight, falling straight into side control. Volkov grabs Gane’s neck but ultimately lets the hold go allowing Gane to get back to his feet.
Gane throws a straight left once upright, but neither fighter looks to take any unnecessary risks as the final seconds of the second round run out.
Round 3
Volkov comes out and immediately takes the center of the Octagon, landing a jab and shooting for a single leg. Gane defends and is in a position to take Volkov’s back, but he ultimately accepts the guard position while fishing for a kimura. Volkov tries to soften up Gane with a few shots to the body before popping his head out.
Gane refuses to let go of the arm and we’re stuck in a stalemate. With 90 seconds to go, Volkov finally frees his arm and attempts to flatten out Gane on the mat. The round ends with Volkov in a dominant position and Gane offering nothing in the way of offense throughout the final five minutes of the fight.
Official Result: Cirly Gane def. Alexander Volkov via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Check Out Highlights From Ciryl Gane vs. Alexander Volkov at UFC 310:
Le spinning back fist d’Alexander Volkov qui a failli faire mouche ! 😳
➡️ Ciryl Gane a eu chaud. 🥵#UFC310https://t.co/hj9RhhHieo
— ActuMMA (@actu_mma) December 8, 2024
🇫🇷 Ciryl Gane vs Alexander Volkov c'est MAINTENANT !
📺 Regardez l’#UFC310 EN DIRECT sur 🇫🇷 RMC Sport 1 et sur 🇧🇪 VOOSport World pic.twitter.com/NMlFl3q3Jh
— UFC France (@UFCFRA) December 8, 2024
El triunfo por decisión dividida es para @ciryl_gane en #UFC310 pic.twitter.com/UV3nvPR7qq
— UFC Español (@UFCEspanol) December 8, 2024
