Overview
- Two judges scored it 29-28 for Alexander Volkov with one 29-28 for Jailton Almeida, a split verdict that favored effective strikes over prolonged positional control.
- According to UFC Stats shared on the broadcast, Almeida landed 7 of 9 takedowns and logged about 10:47 of control, while Volkov outlanded him 123–27 in total strikes and did the clearer damage from top and bottom.
- Referee Marc Goddard repeatedly warned for inactivity and illegal blows to the back of the head and issued multiple stand-ups that shaped the pace of the fight.
- Reaction from fighters and analysts was sharply divided, with some calling the outcome a robbery and others echoing Daniel Cormier’s pre-fight doubts about Almeida’s style and praising judges for prioritizing offense.
- The win keeps Volkov near a title shot, but White said he plans to rebook Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane after the main event ended on fouls and that Volkov is not the next challenger yet.