Alexander Volkov returned from a more than yearlong layoff on Saturday to defeat Greg Hardy in the UFC on ESPN+ 21 co-main event.
Volkov (31-7 MMA, 5-1 UFC) showed he was going to be no pushover to the former NFL standout when he earned a unanimous decision victory over Hardy (5-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC) in the heavyweight bout, which took place at CSKA Arena in Moscow and streamed on ESPN+.
Check below for the top Twitter reactions to Volkov’s victory over Hardy at UFC on ESPN+ 21.
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The judges may be able to hang out for this one 😳 #UFCMoscow pic.twitter.com/ImqSDS7XmE
— UFC (@ufc) November 9, 2019
The #UFCMoscow co-main event is on deck and it sees @GregHardyJr make one of the quickest turnarounds in UFC history against @AlexDragoVolkov. pic.twitter.com/ojDvth3uFP
— MMA Junkie (@MMAjunkie) November 9, 2019
#UFConESPN+ 21 Closing Betting Odds:
Alexander Volkov (-270) vs. Greg Hardy (+230)#UFCMoscow 💵 Live Now -> @ESPN+ @JohnGoodenUK @danhardymma @felderpaul @UFCFightPass @ufc @MMAOddsBreaker https://t.co/YgO1RBsvKH
— Nick Kalikas (@FightOdds) November 9, 2019
Hardy is taking a big step up… really curious to see how he deals with the range of kickboxing Volkov will present. This is heavyweight and Hardy the speed and power to make a moment for himself, but I see Volkov frustrating him from the outside. Let’s see… #UFCMoscow
— Dan Tom (@DanTomMMA) November 9, 2019
What’s the over/under on controversy/fouls for hardy?
— Chris Camozzi (@ChrisCamozzi) November 9, 2019
Hardy with a body jab. Volkov with a jab and a body kick. Big right to a takedown attempt from Hardy. Can't get it and is stuck in the clinch. #UFCMoscow
— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) November 9, 2019
Hardy tries taking the Russian down but Volkov stuffs it #UFCMoscow
— Sherdog by Mandatory (@sherdogdotcom) November 9, 2019
Not a bad first round from hardy let’s see how his gas tank holds up
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) November 9, 2019
10-9 Volkov
Hardy doesn't look lost in there, but Volkov landed the more effective strikes.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) November 9, 2019
I believe Greg Hardy is telling his corner he hurt his hand. #UFCMoscow
— Michael Carroll (@MJCflipdascript) November 9, 2019
Greg already says his hand don’t work don’t wanna fight imo
— Chito Vera (@chitoveraUFC) November 9, 2019
Hardy fighting with a broken hand doesn’t bode well for his chances of victory #UFCMoscow
— Curtis Blaydes (@RazorBlaydes265) November 9, 2019
Nice left hook from Volkov as Hardy stepped in. Snapping front kick from Volkov. #UFCMoscow
— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) November 9, 2019
Body kicks from Volkov are keeping Hardy a little bit more at bay and stopping him from committing so hard. Let’s see if Hardy bites down and goes for it more this round. I think he is down 2 rounds
— Chris Camozzi (@ChrisCamozzi) November 9, 2019
20-18 Volkov after two.
Hardy looks like he's starting to get tired.
Volkov with a much more conservative game plan than usual and it has been very effective.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) November 9, 2019
Ref talkin to @GregHardyJr constantly about eye pokes but he gets poked and he’s gonna call it a knuckle. Smh
— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) November 9, 2019
Straight shots connecting late!
🇷🇺 @AlexDragoVolkov #UFCMoscow pic.twitter.com/HaSfFUBkFK
— UFC (@ufc) November 9, 2019
Agreed Volkov isn’t being aggressive at all against a lesser striker with a broken power hand 🤨 https://t.co/PFH3uRHUaP
— Curtis Blaydes (@RazorBlaydes265) November 9, 2019
Greg Hardy just lost his UFC fight to Alexander Volkov in Moscow. A fairly uneventful decision. The UFC keeps giving Hardy chances even though he obviously alienates a lot of fans and he's yet to do anything that suggests he's going to become a good MMA fighter.
— Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) November 9, 2019
Russian Sniper
— Dominick Reyes (@DomReyes) November 9, 2019
One hand and he looked good! @GregHardyJr is getting better
— Ibrahim Kawa (@Abraham_kawa) November 9, 2019
Say what you want, but Greg Hardy looked like he belonged in there vs Volkov, a legit top 10 guy in the world. The rate he’s improved at is incredible. He may have lost every round, but that was impressive. He was in it the whole time. #UFCMoscow
— Tanner Boser (@BulldozerBoser) November 9, 2019
Lets keep in mind, that 3 years ago, @GregHardyJr didnt know how to throw a punch, he didnt know what "pummeling" or "shrimping" was… 3 years later he fought the #7 heavyweight on 3 weeks notice in his 5th fight in a calendar year.
— Din Thomas (@DinThomas) November 9, 2019
Volkov was too experienced for Hardy to actually win. A good loss though. There are plenty of lessons to learn.
— Josh Gross (@yay_yee) November 9, 2019
Always dangerous @GregHardyJr ! Fought someone with A great deal of experience ! Look forward to seeing what you learn next
— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) November 9, 2019
Ngannou @francis_ngannou – and the only worthy contender for the championship fight @ufc @danawhite @Mickmaynard2 @arielhelwani @MMAjunkie #fight #sport #ufc #oleynik #etfmg #champ
— Alexey Oleynik (@oleynikufc) November 9, 2019
Greg took that fight on short notice and fought 3 tough rds x a more experienced and very tough guy, fighting at home. Greg has nothing to be ashamed of!
— Alex Davis (@Alexdavismma) November 9, 2019
Well done Volkov 👏👏👏.
Let's go now and please don't turn this down again.#UFCMoscow #UNCROWNEDCHAMP— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) November 9, 2019
#UFCMoscow results: @AlexDragoVolkov def. Greg Hardy via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Full play-by-play: https://t.co/E2CHpwaIKO
— MMA Junkie (@MMAjunkie) November 9, 2019
