Ciryl Gane defeats Alexander Volkov in controversial split decision

Heading into UFC 310, former interim heavyweight titleholder Ciryl Gane hadn't fought in 14 months.  "Bon Gamin" faced a familiar foe.  The second ranked Gane faced third ranked Alexander Volkov in a rematch.  

Gane and Volkov first fought at UFC Fight Night 190 in June 2021.  Gane defeated Volkov in a lopsided decision in the fight card's main event.  With a title fight potentially on the horizon for the rematch winner, the stakes couldn't have been higher inside T-Mobile Arena on Saturday.

Volkov landed first with back to back let kicks.  Gane responded with a leg kick and bounced on the outside.  Volkov caught a kick from Gane and secured a takedown less than a minute into the fight.  He worked from side control.  Gane worked his way back to his feet and the two clinched along the cage.  They separated and ducked under a punch and took Volkov down.  Gane stood and landed a right hand.  Gane dropped back and grabbed a leg.  Volkov escaped the position and stood.  Late in the round, Volkov took Gane down.  Gane applied a guillotine choke.  The round ended.  MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Gane.  

Gane began targeting the body of Volkov in the second frame.  Volkov powered forward with a flurry and landed a right hand.  Gane circled away and landed a leg kick.  Volkov connected with a spinning back fist that landed clean.  Volkov partially landed a head kick.  Gane responded with back to back leg kicks.  Gane connected with a hard right hand.  Gane landed a right hand.  Volkov fired back.  Gane looked for a takedown.  Volkov applied a guillotine.  Gane moved to side control but Volkov continued to hand on to the choke.  Gane got free and stood.  MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Volkov. 

Volkov pressured Gane to start the final round.  They exchanged jabs. Volkov changed levels and looked to get the fight to the ground.  Gane isolated an arm.  Volkov protected the arm and peppered Gane with short right hands to the backside.  Gane finally let the arm go with 90 seconds remaining.  Volkov remained in control but wasn't able to inflict damage.  Gane couldn't get off the bottom.  MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Volkov.

The judges scored the fight for Gane via split decision.  The scorecards read 29-28, 28-29, and 29-28.  Gane left the octagon after the decision was read and returned for a post-fight interview.