The heavyweight division is heating up this summer, starting with a huge statement fight between Ciryl Gane and Alexander Volkov. The race to the top of the division is getting jam packed with several contenders vying for a shot at the current Heavyweight King, Francis Ngannou. Among them, Derrick Lewis, ex-champ Stipe Miocic, potentially (maybe) Jon Jones, Jairzinho Rozenstruik, and of course, who ever would come out on top in Gane vs. Volkov.
Ciryl Gane has yet to taste defeat in his professional career, heading into his second main event with the UFC. With the added pressure of keeping his record unblemished, and the talent level of his opponents rising, Gane was sharpening and shaping into a contender who quite possibly could be the next name debated for a title shot.
Alexander “Drago” Volkov is a name that has always been a staple in the heavyweight division, UFC or otherwise. And since signing with the UFC, he has racked up wins against former champion Fabricio Werdum plus standouts like Alistair Overeem. Entering UFC Vegas 30 Volkov had momentum with back-to-back finish victories inside the Octagon, and he looked to steal the rising star power from Ciryl Gane and secure an elusive UFC title fight.
That didn’t happen. Ciryl Gane kept his undefeated record perfect with his five round unanimous decision victory against Alexander Volkov at UFC Vegas 30. After round one, Gane continued to position himself in a comfortable range that frustrated Volkov and added a different level of aggression. Volkov couldn’t figure out the puzzle that was Ciryl Gane, and he paid for it as the fight progressed.
PROS GIVE THEIR TAKE
Check out how the pros reacted to the main event at UFC Vegas 30.
Proud of this fight, and proud to have shared the octagon with a warrior like Alexander Volkov 🙏
It was hard, but it confirmed that I'm right there with the best in the world. 🇫🇷
Let the next Chapter begin. pic.twitter.com/wENexNVoD8
— Ciryl Gane (@ciryl_gane) June 27, 2021
Karate sparing match @ufc
— Derrick Lewis (@Thebeast_ufc) June 26, 2021
Just the facial expressions alone are telling a lot in this fight. #UFCVegas30
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) June 26, 2021
Give me Jon Jones vs Cyril Gane. I can wait on Francis Ngannou vs Jon Jones ! What a perfect matchup with the measured calculated approach by Jones and Gane!!!
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) June 26, 2021
Gane found his rhythm. He is pushing up the pace now. Impressive #ufcvegas30
— Volkan Oezdemir (@volkan_oezdemir) June 26, 2021
49-46 Gane for me #UFCVegas30 @MMADecisions
— Jillian DeCoursey (@lionheartjill) June 26, 2021
