Alexander Volkov spent nearly all of the combat on his again, however he nonetheless walked away with an enormous win over Jailton Almeida at UFC 321.
As anticipated, Almeida got here out and instantly shot for a takedown. He simply put Volkov on his again, however with a whole lack of offense, Volkov was in a position to sweep, stepping into prime management. Volkov momentarily moved into full mount, dropping a few elbows earlier than Almeida adjusted.
With the clock winding down within the first, Almeida was content material to bury his head and let Volkov tee off on him, probably surrendering a 10-9 to the Russian.
Almeida makes use of the high-crotch to attain one other takedown mere seconds into the second stanza. Sadly, that’s the place the offense ceased from Almeida, who was content material to only maintain place, even when Volkov willingly gave up his again.
With 90 seconds to go within the stanza, referee Marc Goddard stood the fighters up resulting from a scarcity of motion. In fact, that didn’t cease Almeida from instantly touchdown one other takedown, placing them proper again into the identical place.
Volkov tried to flip the script in spherical three, urgent Almeida towards the fence and touchdown some strikes within the clinch. However earlier than lengthy, the Brazilian landed one other takedown, placing Volkov on his again as soon as once more. Nonetheless, Volkov was the extra lively fighter off his again, touchdown a collection of strikes and elbows.
With Almeida content material to only experience his opponent, Goddard as soon as once more stood them up. That prompted Almeida to safe one closing takedown, a lot to the chagrin of the dwell crowd.
As the ultimate seconds ticked off the clock, followers in Abu Dhabi showered each fighters with boos, although we suspect a majority of these have been aimed instantly at Almeida.
Official Outcome: Alexander Volkov def. Jailton Almeida by way of cut up choice (28-29, 29-28, 29-28).
