MMA Preview – Ciryl Gane vs Alexander Volkov at UFC Vegas 30
CIRYL GANE VS ALEXANDER VOLKOV FACTS
When is UFC Vegas 30? Saturday 26th June, 2021 -19:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Vegas 30? UFC APEX, Enterprise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC Vegas 30? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC events
What channel is UFC Vegas 30 on? BT Sport 2
Where can I stream UFC Vegas 30? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
CIRYL GANE VS ALEXANDER VOLKOV LOWDOWN
The Ciryl Gane (8-0) hype train is at full steam after extending his unbeaten record by earning a classy unanimous decision over knockout artist Jairzinho Rozenstruik. Gane has gone from prospect to contender in no time. His fourth and fifth professional fight was only in 2019 where he submitted Raphael Pessoa and Don’Tale Mayes in his first two UFC appearances. The specimen went on to display all his attributes earning a unanimous decision over Tanner Boser and knocking out the former champion Junior dos Santos before his win over Rozenstruik in February.
Alexander Volkov (33-8) heads back to the APEX to steal the spotlight and remind everyone that he is one of the very best heavyweights around right now. His only two losses in the UFC (and in his last 11) were to Derrick Lewis where he bossed the whole fight before getting caught by a nuclear missile with seconds to go and Curtis Blaydes who implemented a boring but flawless game plan by keeping Volkov on his back for 25 minutes. Besides Blaydes, he has looked comfortable in every fight and is coming off two vintage knockouts over Walt Harris and Alistair Overeem.
CIRYL GANE VS ALEXANDER VOLKOV PREDICTION
Gane has all the hype right now but let’s not forget Alexander Volkov is only a year older with 33 more fights and a Bellator and M-1 title in the locker.
Gane is the most promising fighter in the division as he has the highest ceiling. He is a quality kickboxer with ferocious power and also has a brilliant ground game. He is only eight fights deep into his career, but he has already swept past Junior dos Santos and executed a perfect game plan against Jairzinho Rozenstruik showing fight IQ and composure.
For these reasons, he is the favourite, but we are backing the underdog. Volkov is arguably the most polished striker in the division. Overeem has always held that mantle, but Volkov obliterated him. He uses his height and reach masterfully and uncorks his power when he needs to.
Interestingly, Gane will have a slight inch reach advantage despite giving up three inches in height. However, Volkov is one of few fighters who makes the most out of his leg reach. He will have five-and-a-half-inch advantage here which he will leverage via piercing front kicks to the body.
Volkov will still have to work hard to land as the Frenchman has great movement. Expect Volkov to keep peppering Gane from range and ready to throw knees and uppercuts down the middle when Gane closes the distance and that is Gane’s route to victory.
Besides that mental blip when Lewis decimated him, Volkov has been a step ahead in every striking battle so Gane needs to get the fight to the mat. He has an excellent ground game and needs to get Volkov on his back.
That is exactly how Blaydes won the fight but that said, Blaydes is a different calibre of wrestler and Volkov actually has decent takedown defence. So, Gane needs to be very patient in shooting in and he may decide to kickbox for the first couple rounds.
Here, we expect Volkov to win the early rounds which will force Gane to look for the takedown, but it is unlikely to be enough. We expect Volkov to keep the majority of the fight on the feet where the Russian will display his class earning a decision or late knockout to upset the odds.
Prediction: Volkov via KO/TKO - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value Bet: Volkov via KO/TKO or Decision
