Volkov blasts judges for 'bullshit decision' vs. Gane

LAS VEGAS - Alexander Volkov believes he was robbed of a win at UFC 310.

The heavyweight contender tore into the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) and the two judges who gave Ciryl Gane a split-decision victory in their rematch Saturday at T-Mobile Arena. Volkov said he was "100% sure" he had won.

"It was a bullshit decision for sure," Volkov told reporters, including theScore, at the UFC 310 postfight press conference. "I'm not accepting this. I'm absolutely sure that I won the fight. I did much more than Gane in all the fight. I don't see any damage from him to me, and I don't understand why he won the fight."

The matchup was competitive, but Volkov did have the edge on paper: He topped Gane 105-48 in total strikes, landed more takedowns, and amassed more control time on the ground.

Gane won the first round on all three judges' scorecards, Volkov unanimously took the third, and two of three judges - Adalaide Byrd and Junichiro Kamijo - awarded Gane the second round, resulting in the split-decision verdict. Nineteen of 20 media members who submitted scorecards to MMADecisions.com scored the fight for Volkov.

Volkov said he believes he at least won Rounds 2 and 3.

"My coaches said maybe the first round was close enough," Volkov said. "But I was more active, I did more pressure on him. For sure I get the second round and third round. I did more damage to him for sure."

Gane defeated Volkov by a lopsided unanimous decision in their first fight in June 2021. The rematch was a pivotal fight for the heavyweight division, with the winner potentially in line for a title shot depending on champion Jon Jones' next move. Gane and Volkov were ranked No. 2 and No. 3, respectively coming in.

Volkov said he plans to appeal the decision but isn't confident the result will be overturned.

The 36-year-old Russian added that he wants to see Byrd, who has an extensive history of controversial scorecards across MMA and boxing, held accountable.

"If you can't professionally do your job, you shouldn't do it," Volkov said.

Volkov said he bears no ill will toward Gane after the controversial decision - just the judges and the NSAC.

"I saw (Gane's) team and they didn't expect this. They didn't expect the decision," Volkov said. "He was upset. So my respect to Ciryl Gane. He wasn't like a guy who just walked out from the cage after the decision, because he didn't feel this, too. So nothing bad to my opponent. I just don't accept with the commission. I can't agree with this."

Volkov's five-fight winning streak ended Saturday with his first loss since facing current interim champ Tom Aspinall in 2022.