Alexander Volkov's UFC debut didn't yield much in the way of fireworks, but he still did enough to get his hand raised.
"Drago" resorted to the clinch to edge Timothy Johnson by split decision in their heavyweight bout at UFC Fight Night 99 in Belfast on Saturday. Volkov had to grind his way out of deep waters early, as Johnson countered some early flurries with a blistering uppercut that dropped him to the mat in Round 1. The Russian made it an ugly affair from there, grinding his foe against the cage and peppering him with short strikes. The tactic, however unappealing to the eye, was enough to sway two judges for a 29-28 tally and extend his winning streak to three.
WHOA!!! @TBearTim doesn't give a damn about the hype!! #UFCBelfast https://t.co/QI0vUMLQE5
— UFC (@ufc) November 19, 2016
Johnson attempted to resume his headhunting ways after the early knockdown, but Volkov repeatedly tied him up at the first sign of danger. The 31-year-old's haymakers didn't land as cleanly as Volkov's shots from range, but his willingness to trade leather and the fire he returned in the clinch convinced one judge to score all three rounds in his favor.
The Minnesota native falls to an even 2-2 in the Octagon.
