UFC Moscow Recap

UFC Moscow Recap

By Matt Wise

A brave showing from Greg Hardy was not enough to prevent a unanimous decision defeat to Alexander Volkov.

Both fighters used their jab to find their rhythm in the opening round, with numerous right hooks landing on either side. Hardy returned to his stall with an apparent injury to his right hand that he is so reliant on.

Volkov remained patient, still showing great respect for Hardy’s punching power. The Russian implemented kicks to the body with the aim of slowing down his opponent. Hardy caught Volkov with a looping right hook as he was retreating, which could well have been a fight ender if he had a fully able hand.

Volkov began to run away with the fight in the third round, walking Hardy down with jabs and effortless kicks to the body.

The judges each scored the contest 30-27 the way of Volkov, who returned to the winning column in front of his home crowd. Despite defeat, Hardy can draw confidence from his display in his toughest assignment in his MMA career yet.

Zabit Magomedsharipov saw off the power Calvin Kattar to edge closer to a featherweight title fight.

As expected, the first round delivered a very intruiging striking battle, with Zabit testing his boxing against Kattar which the American is best known for. Zabit was clever and assured with his striking, while narrowly staying out of danger when Kattar fired back.

Kattar found some success with his boxing in round two, landing a few uppercuts as Zabit leaned forward to avoid the straight attacks. Zabit landed the at a higher rate, though, with a mix of punches with the occasional spinning attack.

Kattar returned for the third with the feeling that he might be two rounds down, and upped the pace considerably. He came from behind in total strikes, but Zabit stood firm and rode the five minute storm to reach the decision.

The judges all scored the contest 29-28 in favour of the Dagestan native, who laid claim post-fight to the next title fight ahead of Holloway and Volkanovski next month.