ABU DHABI – Alexander Volkov doesn’t see his win over Jailton Almeida at UFC 321 as a robbery.
Volkov (39-11 MMA, 13-6 UFC) was awarded a split decision over Almeida (22-4 MMA, 8-2 UFC) on Saturday’s main card at Etihad Arena – even though he was taken down seven times and controlled for over 10 minutes.
“He was tough. His takedowns were pretty good. He was well prepared,” Volkov said of Almeida during the UFC 321 post-fight news conference. “I know it was a little bit funny to see how he took me down again and again, but I tried to give him more punch whenever I was on the ground, in the standup. I just felt like I gave him more damage. In the first round, I swept him and gave him some good damage on top, so for sure he had more damage put on him. But I feel good.”
Volkov thinks inactivity lost Almeida the fight, and how he was playing it safe without any attempts to finish the fight.
“He kind of tried to not lose the fight or tried not to have damage,” Volkov said. “You can’t go to the octagon with these thoughts. It’s really hard to sweep or stand up for me when the guy just controls you. With Almeida, nobody gave him good defense on the ground in our division, and he, every time, could try to punch or submit somebody.
“But with me, he was afraid to do anything on top, and that’s why I have the ability to punch him, even from the bottom. I expected that he’d try to punch me on top, and I will find small holes to change, to like sweep him how it was in the first round. But after the first round, for sure he didn’t want to do this. It is what it is. I’m upset with this fight as well, but I’m still waiting for the UFC to give us Performance of the Night.”
