LAS VEGAS – Like many watching from home, Alexander Volkov doesn’t understand how he left UFC 310 without getting his hand raised.
In likely the biggest controversy of the night, Volkov (38-11 MMA, 6-4 UFC) lost a split decision to former interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane (13-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) on the main card of the final UFC pay-per-view of the year. It was a competitive fight, but many, including Volkov and UFC CEO Dana White, thought Volkov had done enough to beat the Frenchman.
“It was a bullsh*t decision, for sure,” Volkov said through an interpreter at the UFC 310 post-fight press conference. “I don’t accept this. I don’t know what we’re going to do with the decision. I’m absolutely sure I won the fight. I did much more than Gane.
“I don’t know who scored this fight for him, who are the judges, but I don’t know, maybe one of you can tell me the truth, but I don’t see any damage from him to me, and I don’t understand how he won the fight.”
Judges Adalaide Byrd and Junichiro Kamijo scored the fight 29-28 for Gane, while Eric Colon scored the bout 28-29 favoring Volkov. Byrd and Kamijo gave the first two rounds of the fight to Gane – something that Volkov can’t agree with.
“The first round was close, but I was more active, and I did more pressure than him,” Volkov said. “For sure, I get the second round and third round. I did more damage than him, for sure. I don’t know what he’s said, but I saw the eyes of his team, and they didn’t expect the decision, and he was upset.
“I respect Ciryl Gane, he walked out of the cage after the decision because he didn’t feel this, too. Nothing bad to my opponent, just upset with commission. I can’t agree with this.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 310.
