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#5 Greg Hardy vs. Alexander Volkov (Heavyweight)
Alexander Volkov returned home to fight one of the most polarizing fighters in UFC today, Greg Hardy.
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The former NFL star wanted to shake off the negativity that stemmed from his previous fight and that could have only happened if he overcame the giant Russian. Did Hardy do that though? Let's find out...
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Round 1: Volkov smiled confidently as Hardy came running towards him after the fight got underway. The fans inside the CSKA Arena chanted for their hometown hero. It was deafeningly loud!
Hardy looked to get through the large frame of the Russian with the left-hand jabs. Hardy attempted a takedown then pulled back before clinching neat the fence. A few knees from Hardy ended the clinch and both men circled the Octagon again.
Volkov went high with a head kick. Hardy tried to reach in for a few left jabs. The towering Russian too used his left-hand jabs to good effect.
Volkov tagged Hardy with a left. The American answered with two good rights of his own.
Round 2: Both men smiled at each other as the second round kicked off. Hardy injured his right hand after it hit Volkov's shin and that could have hindered his game plan. This was a test of Hardy's adaptability as a mixed martial artist.
Drago began to land more as he landed snappy jabs and body kicks. The hometown darling kept scoring points with soft low kicks. He followed it up with a few body kicks. The Russian used his reach really well to keep Hardy at bay with the kicks.
The former NFL Defensive End landed a good overhand right. Hardy kept punching Volkov's body while his opponent sent in the front kicks to the body.
Hardy jabbed and came in hard with a spinning back fist. Volkov used the lead leg well and went high for a head kick. Drago effortlessly got his lead leg up Hardy's body and kept connecting with swift kicks. That was a strong round for Drago.
Round 3: Hardy was more aggressive in the final round as he carelessly swung his arms in a bid to land a killer shot. Volkov was just too big and retreated with ease.
The Russian continued to pepper Hardy's face with jabs. Hardy went low. No one there! He went up top, no one there again! Volkov's striking defense and range management were flawless up until this point.
He went for a head kick and followed it up with front lead leg kicks to the body. Volkov landed a left and a right that had Hardy's head ricocheting backwards.
Volkov landed another beautiful head kick. The kicks kept landing for Volkov and Hardy had no answer.
Result: Alexander Volkov def. Greg Hardy via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
The hometown fan-favorite put on a clean striking display to shut down the troublesome Greg Hardy. The #7 ranked Heavyweight used his experience and reach advantage to give Hardy another big loss.
