UFC Vegas 30: Two Technicians to Tango With Gane vs Volkov

By
Gabriel Gonzalez
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UFC Vegas 18 Alexander Volkov
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 06: (R-L) Alexander Volkov of Russia punches Alistair Overeem of the Netherlands in their heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on February 06, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

Two of the most technically proficient strikers in the UFC heavyweight division will collide with high stakes when Cyril Gane meets Alexander Volkov at UFC Vegas 30.

In terms of Ciryl Gane’s UFC career, the mentality appears to be that there is no time like the present.  He was signed to the UFC at a green 3-0 in MMA, but the numbers don’t tell the story of how far ahead his skills are compared to his record.  Despite being considered a striker, his first two Octagon victories were by submission in stoppages of Raphael Pessoa and Don’Tale Mayes.  He followed that up with the first decision of his career over 2020 standout Tanner Boser.  Injuries to himself and multiple opponents led to an untimely hiatus in 2020, but it paid off with his most high profile victory: a TKO over former champion and veteran Junior dos Santos.

The victory set the stage for Gane to enter his first UFC main event, taking on muay thai veteran Jairzinho Rozenstruik.  With more MMA fights and nearly 100 muay-thai bouts on his resume, “Bigi Boi” was expected to provide a stern test for the still developing Gane.  Instead, Gane shut down Rozenstruik with a disciplined and cautious attack for five rounds.  Surveying the heavyweight landscape, Gane now finds himself with a huge opportunity as he could find himself with a title shot in early 2022 if he can turn back his next opponent.

While Gane has had a meteoric rise, Alexander Volkov has had to take a workmanlike approach up the rankings.  Saturday will mark Volkov’s tenth UFC appearance, already more fights than Gane has had in his entire career.  After a respectable career that saw him win the title in M-1 and challenge for the Bellator title, Volkov entered the UFC in 2016 and has become one of the most formidable contenders in the heavyweight division behind victories over former champion Fabricio Werdum, Alistair Overeem, Walt Harris, and Stefan Struve.

Saturday will mark Volkov’s third attempt to leap into title contention.  In 2018, he was upset in the closing seconds against Derrick Lewis.  Last June, he was on the wrong end of a wrestling clinic by perennial top contender Curtis Blaydes.  The bout with Gane comes at a unique time in the heavyweight division.  The promotion is currently committed to having champion Francis Ngannou fight Derrick Lewis next.  Beyond them, former champions Stipe Miocic and Jon Jones appear to be further away from returns to the cage, albeit for quite different reasons.  Following this logic, one would assume an opportunity to step into a title fight would be possible for Volkov should he triumph over Gane.

Stylistically, Volkov should look to use his height and length to great effect.  Working behind a sharp jab, “Drago” should be able to keep the more patient Gane at the end of his strikes.  All things equal, Volkov figures to win the striking exchanges the more he is able to initiate the action at long range whereas a close range battle figures to favor Gane.  Gane should also look to push the fight to the mat where his submission game can pose a threat and  Volkov has historically struggled to get off the mat.

The winner will likely await to see when the bout between Ngannou and Lewis for the title takes place.  Assuming it is in September or October, then they could see if they factor into negotiations for a title shot as the promotions is likely to revisit Jon Jones or Stipe Miocic as potential options.  If neither Jones or Miocic compete for the title next, then the Gane/Volkov winner could be next in line.  If Saturday’s winner does fight again before a title shot, they would likely face the loser of Ngannou and Lewis, or Miocic upon his return.

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