Undefeated UFC heavyweight Ciryl Gane is now a step closer to a potential title shot after decisioning Alexander Volkov at UFC Vegas 30.
Gane (9-0-0) did not score a spectacular knockout but he did control large portions of it by using distance to keep Volkov (33-9-0) away while piling up significant strikes.
Volkov tried to counter with kicks that did land often, but Gane barrelled past them roughing up Volkov in the pocket. “Drago” did connect a few times in the second and fourth rounds, but they weren’t enough to overcome the volume of Gane.
The judges scored it 50-45, 50-45, and 49-46.
Gane stays in the title shot hunt with the victory, while Volkov is likely out of the picture for the time being.
https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1408934574365634561?s=20
Marcin Prachnio and Kennedy Nzechukwu earned performances of the night while Raoni Barcelos and Timur Valiev earned Fight of the Night. Each fighter earned a $50,000 USD bonus.
Earning that extra 50K 🤑
💰 @BarcelosRaoni and @TimurValiev_DF earn your FOTN!
[B2YB @ToyoTires ] pic.twitter.com/lLXdSJbYvi
— UFC (@ufc) June 27, 2021
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the main card.
In case you missed the prelims:
DAMIR HADOVIC DEF. YANCY MEDEIROS VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
CHARLES ROSA DEF. JUSTIN JAMES VIA SD (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
JULIA AVILA DEF. JULIJA STOLIARENKO VIA SUBMISSION (RNC) R3 4:19
MARCIN PRACHINO DEF. ISAAC VILLANUEVA VIA TKO (BODY KICK) R2 0:56
JEREMIAH WELLS DEF. WARLLEY ALVES VIA KO (PUNCHES) R2 0:30
SHAVKAT RAKHMONOV DEF. MICHEL PRAZERES VIA SUBMISSION (RNC) R2 2:10
KENNEDY NZECHKWU DEF. DANILO MARQUES VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R3 0:20
MAIN CARD
RENATO MOICANO VS. JAI HERBERT
How about @MoicanoUFC at lightweight?!
[ #UFCVegas30 live now on @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/A5AeSLaD7Q
— UFC (@ufc) June 26, 2021
WINNER: RENATO MOICANO VIA SUBMISSION (RNC) R2 4:34
ANDREWS PREDICTION: JAI HERBERT VIA TKO
Andrews: Give Moicano credit. He took the fight to the ground and got it done.
TIM MEANS VS. NICOLAS DALBY
Punches are flying early in RD 3 🚀
[ #UFCVegas30 | LIVE on @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/meKBhEHmgM
— UFC (@ufc) June 26, 2021
WINNER: TIM MEANS VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: TIM MEANS VIA UD
Andrews: Means overcame the trouble and outstruck Dalby.
ANDRE FILI VS. DANIEL PINEDA
Andre Fili flowing in the first!
[ #UFCVegas30 live on @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/CdNS6qT3tl
— UFC (@ufc) June 26, 2021
WINNER: NO-CONTEST (ACCIDENTAL EYEPOKE)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: ANDRE FILI VIA UD
Andrews: Run it back.
RAONI BARCELOS VS. TIMUR VALIEV
🇷🇺@TimurValiev_DF gets the majority decision!
What do your scorecards look like? 📝
[ #UFCVegas30 | LIVE on @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/cWCTP0wTgz
— UFC (@ufc) June 26, 2021
WINNER: TIMUR VALIEV VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Andrews: Good fight! Timur grinded it out.
TANNER BOSER VS. OVINCE ST. PREUX
HEAVY strikes to earn the finish! 🇨🇦@BulldozerBoser gets it done in one! #UFCVegas30 pic.twitter.com/zSNdrmZKCN
— UFC (@ufc) June 26, 2021
WINNER: TANNER BOSER VIA KO (PUNCHES) R2 2:31
ANDREWS PREDICTION: TANNER BOSER VIA TKO
Andrews: Boser did his job and took advantage of the opening.
MAIN EVENT
#3 CIRYL GANE VS. #5 ALEXANDER VOLKOV
🤯 @Ciryl_Gane making his presence known in RD 3!
[ #UFCVegas30 | LIVE on @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/Qewt2pedFS
— UFC (@ufc) June 26, 2021
WINNER: CIRYL GANE VIA UD (50-45, 50-45, 49-46)
Andrews: Gane did well on his feet, I thought Volkov would be the aggressive one. But it was Gane who took it to him. Good win.
