The UFC Saudi Arabia co-main occasion featured a monumental heavyweight bout between third-ranked Sergei Pavlovich and fifth-ranked Alexander Volkov.
Pavlovich entered the bout coming off a knockout loss to interim titleholder Tom Aspinall at UFC 295 in November. Heading into that struggle, the was driving a six-right profitable steak. Volkov made the stroll to the octagon on a three-fight profitable streak. He submitted Tai Tuivasa in his final struggle again in September.
Pavlovich took the middle of the cage and inched ahead. Volkov delivered a leg kick and Pavlovich responded with a jab. Volkov landed a tough kick to the physique. Pavlovich answered with a stiff jab. Volkov moved alongside on the skin earlier than touchdown to the physique with a kick. Pavlovich started loading up on punches. Volkov used kicks to maintain Pavlovich on the skin. Volkov stepped within the pocket with a straight proper hand. Pavlovich seemed to counter a physique kick with punches. Volkov landed a jab however Pavlovich reacted with a proper hand. They exchanged jabs and Volkov related with a leg kick within the closing seconds of the spherical. MMAWeekly scored the spherical. 10-9 for Volkov.
Volkov continued to utilized a kicking heavy offense within the second body. He landed two leg kicks adopted by a kick to the physique. Pavlovich rushed in with a mix that got here up brief. Volkov dictated the tempo all through the struggle and introduced a various assault. A straight proper hand surprised Pavlovich. Pavlovich returned fireplace with a proper hand. Pavlovich tried to counter however had points coping with Volkov’s distance. MMAWeekly scored the spherical 10-9 for Volkov.
Volkov opened the third spherical with leg kicks. Pavlovich missed with a giant proper hand. Pavlovich pressed ahead however Volkov moved simply out of attain. Pavlovich related with a mix. Volkov responded with a proper hand however Pavlovich delivered one other mixture. Volkov switched stances and Pavlovich checked a leg kick. Volkov regularly landed his jab. With a minute left within the body, Volkov related to the physique with a kick. Pavlovich closed the space and clinched however separated seconds later. Pavlovich landed a clear proper hand however Volkov absorbed it. Volkov related with a head kick within the closing seconds however Pavlovich withstood it. MMAWeekly scored the third spherical 10-9 for Volkov.
The judges scored the struggle for Volkov by way of unanimous resolution. The scorecards learn 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28.
