Fight Evaluation: Gane vs Volkov

Ciryl Gane is a former interim heavyweight champion and the number two ranked heavyweight in the UFC. Gane is a stand-up fighter known for his ability to knock out some of the best competitors in the heavyweight division, including Tai Tuivasa and Derrick Lewis. Gane’s only losses have come at the hands of heavyweight champions Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou. However, his weakness lies in grappling, as evidenced by his performance on the mat against Jones.

Alexander Volkov is riding a four-fight win streak and currently holds the number three ranking in the heavyweight division. A former Bellator heavyweight champion, Volkov is a dangerous striker, with an impressive record of 24 knockouts among his 38 wins. In his most recent fight, he defeated former training partner and friend Sergei Pavlovich by decision at UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs Aliskerov.

This bout promises to be a high-level stand-up contest, as both Volkov and Gane excel in kickboxing. Gane is an elite, explosive athlete who has demonstrated exceptional range management in his previous fights. Meanwhile, Volkov effectively uses his towering 6’7” frame and 80-inch reach to keep opponents at bay and pick them apart from a distance.

However, Volkov may struggle to implement his typical strategy against Gane. The Frenchman’s explosiveness and mastery of range could neutralise Volkov’s long-range striking. That said, Volkov’s ability to out-strike his opponents is remarkable; in his last nine fights, he has been out-struck only twice—once by current interim champion Tom Aspinall and once by Ciryl Gane himself.

For Volkov to secure victory, he may need to force Gane into a brawl. Gane has shown the ability to out-land Volkov in technical exchanges and prevail on the judges’ scorecards. Therefore, Volkov might need to turn this contest into a grittier, more chaotic affair to stand a better chance of winning.

Overall, Volkov vs Gane is a tightly matched fight, with both men possessing a realistic path to victory. The outcome will likely hinge on whose game plan is executed more effectively on the night.