UFC on ESPN+ 21 results: Alexander Volkov outpoints Greg Hardy after 13-month layoff

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UFC on ESPN+ 21 results: Alexander Volkov outpoints Greg Hardy after 13-month layoff

It wasn’t the decisive victory many expected, but Alexander Volkov comfortably beat Greg Hardy on Saturday in the UFC on ESPN+ 21 co-main event.

After Junior Dos Santos fell out of the original matchup due to injury, Hardy (5-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC) stepped in on short notice off a 22-day turnaround from his most recent UFC fight to face Volkov (31-7 MMA, 5-1 UFC), who returned to the octagon from a 13-month layoff. Volkov didn’t get the big finish, but he outpointed the controversial former NFL star over three rounds to win a clear-cut unanimous decision.

The heavyweight fight took place at CSKA Arena in Moscow. The card streamed on ESPN+.

Hardy came out working behind his jab as Volkov looked to manage the distance. Hardy’s left hook was the first clean shot of the fight, but Volkov absorbed the damage and settled into his game. From there, it was trouble for Hardy. Volkov mixed up his attacks to the body and head, with his kicks and jab being particularly effective weapons. Hardy remained calm through it all, though, and toward the end picked up his aggression and tagged Volkov with a pair of good looping punches.

Between rounds, Hardy told his corner he injured his right hand. He would proceed into the second frame, though, and immediately started to work behind the jab. Volkov was content to stand in front of Hardy, however, and continue to work around his own jab and kicks to the legs and body. The zip behind them was minimal, which allowed Hardy to stay int the pocket, too. The output dropped off from Hardy, but he attempted to mix up his offense with a spinning back fist and turning kick. Volkov wasn’t rattled by anything though, it seemed, and he cruised to the end of the frame without taking or giving significant damage.

Clearly behind on points going into the final frame, Hardy came out aggressive and rushed Volkov with a multi-punch combination. Volkov avoided taking anything clean, and managed to move back into the center of the octagon to the striking range he wanted. The fight then settled back in to a pace similar to what was presented in the third. Hardy tried to make sprints of offense to avail, while Volkov remained consistent with his outpoint until the final bell, winning 30-27 scorecards across the board.

“I want to say thanks everyone for the support,” Volkov said through an interpreter in his post-fight interview. “I had a full year with a bad side of my career, but I’m back and I fought for every one of you. Thank you to my wife, thank you for my team. I dedicate this fight to my mother.”

Up-to-the-minute UFC on ESPN+ 21 results include:

UFC on ESPN+ 21 results: Alexander Volkov outpoints Greg Hardy after 13-month layoff