The fight that some Russian MMA fans were waiting for, while others did not want to see, took place. Alexander Volkov and Sergey Pavlovich met in the octagon and found out who is currently the strongest heavyweight in the country. The native of the Rostov region was considered the favorite, but Drago was better prepared for the confrontation.

Alexander smashed his opponent’s face until it bled. Now he can reasonably expect a title fight.

Volkov’s flag, Pavlovich’s “dances”

On the night of June 22-23, two of Russia’s strongest heavyweights, Alexander Volkov and Sergey Pavlovich, came face to face at the UFC on ABC 6 tournament. The fight, which both fighters initially did not really want, became a reality. The comrades, who had previously helped each other prepare for fights, now found themselves opponents.

In the run-up to the fight, bookmakers favored Pavlovich. He was higher in the UFC heavyweight rankings and had significantly fewer losses in his record. However, in his last fight, Sergey actually lost, while Volkov was on a three-fight winning streak. However, when the Russian giants entered the octagon, all pre-fight analysis faded into the background.

Volkov appeared before the audience with a Russian flag, fortunately in Saudi Arabia no one bans our tricolor. Pavlovich came out without a flag, but to the “Polovtsian Dances”, which many clearly associate with Russia. The audience warmly welcomed both, expecting a real showdown between two knockout artists.

Alexander Volkov / Photo: © Chris Unger / Contributor / UFC / Gettyimages.ru

Coiffed Alexander, angry Sergey

Both fighters were not particularly cautious and started the fight actively. Alexander hit a little more in the opening round, especially with his legs. Pavlovich controlled the center of the octagon, his blows seemed heavier. However, by the end of the round, it was Sergey who had more obvious signs of beatings on his face.

If in the opening five minutes both Russian fighters tried not to get into trouble, then in the second round the spectators saw several dangerous exchanges, each of which could have ended the confrontation ahead of schedule. However, this did not inspire the local MMA fans very much, they probably expected to see much more blood and violence. The comrades did not seem to feel sorry for each other, but it did not quite resemble an uncompromising fight either.

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Before the final round, Volkov had an advantage in the number of punches, but it was clear that Sergey could multiply all this superiority by zero with one punch. Another thing is that Pavlovich’s face was all bloody, and Alexander looked good, even his seconds combed his hair before each round.

Pavlovich was unable to find a moment in three rounds to knock out his former sparring partner. Drago also managed without an early victory this time, but a decision victory was enough for him. Before the winner was announced, there was an unsightly episode: Alexander wanted to thank his friend for the fight, but he almost started a conflict out of thin air. But Sergey should have been angry only at himself, because he should know a good Russian proverb about a fight after which you don’t wave your fists. The referee recorded Volkov’s victory, who, with the Russian flag on his shoulders, took another important step towards the championship fight.

Watch the live broadcast of the UFC tournament on the Match TV and Match! Fighter channels and the websites matchtv.ru and sportbox.ru.