Former NFL star Greg Hardy proved that he could hang with an elite heavyweight on Saturday, but it was still Alexander Volkov who emerged victorious in the UFC Moscow co-main event, as he beat the late replacement via unanimous decision.
Scores were 30-27 across the board for the No. 7-ranked Volkov, now 31-7. Hardy, who replaced Junior Dos Santos just 22 days after his no contest with Ben Sosoli, falls to 5-2 with 1 NC.
The fighters traded shots at range in the opening stages of the fight, Volkov’s jab being the most telling blow. Hardy held his own before coming up short on a takedown attempt, and then it was back to kickboxing for the two. Hardy landed a pair of left hooks in the closing minute of the first, but Volkov took them well and kept control of the fight.
Between rounds, Hardy told his corner his right hand was injured, but he still attempted to throw it in the second stanza. Volkov remained patient in his attack, though, and his technique was sharp, even though he was still wary of Hardy’s power. Volkov did pick up the pace slightly in the final minute, ending the round strong, and in the third, he went back to a measured attack that kept Hardy from getting into an offensive rhythm and that carried him to victory.
