UFC Fight Night 115 ‘Volkov vs. Struve’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round-by-Round Scoring

Thibault Gouti vs. Andrew Holbrook

Round 1

Holbrook grabs for an early takedown in the center of the cage, but Gouti jumps back and out of reach. As the Frenchman presses forward with jabs, Holbrook shoots again and is pushed away. Holbrook goes for his third try in the opening minute, still can't keep hold of Gouti, but does deliver a clinch knee on the way out. Holbrook comes closer in the second minute, but Gouti limp-legs away and then zaps the American with a straight right. Holbrook is being backed up against the wall now, Gouti turning up the volume with his punches. Holbrook lands a body kick, answered by more right hands from Gouti, the most effective shots of the fight so far. Gouti floors Holbrook with a partially blocked right high kick and nearly gets a stoppage from referee Neil Hall, who bumps into the fighters on the ground but opts not to halt the bout. Holbrook gets back to his feet, only to be assaulted on the fence by a barrage of punches from "GT." Referee Hall is standing nearby, watching the beatdown, and after a dozen or so punches, he steps in to stop the contest.

The Official Result

Thibault Gouti def. Andrew Holbrook via TKO (Punches) R1 4:28

Abdul-Kerim Edilov vs. Bojan Mihajlovic

Round 1

Edilov opens with a pair of hard leg kicks, then goes to the body as he backs up Mihajlovic toward the fence. The Chechen works from the center of the cage in the southpaw stance, while Mihajlovic lines up right-handed and crouches low, looking to counter. Edilov switches to orthodox before stepping inside to clinch Mihajlovic against a post. Edilov releases, lands a few more punches and then dumps Mihajlovic to the floor with a takedown. Mihajlovic throws up a high guard, trying to keep things tight as Edilov staples his face with short, hard elbows. Halfway through the opening round, Mihajlovic is busted open, still absorbing punches as Edilov drops nonstop strikes through the guard. Mihajlovic is deflecting more strikes here in the fourth minute, and doesn't seem to be in imminent danger of a stoppage, despite referee Kevin Sataki looming. Edilov turns up the volume in the final minute, and Mihajlovic rolls over to turtle up on his knees. Mihajlovic takes another dozen punches down the stretch but survives to see the second frame.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-8 Edilov
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-8 Edilov
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-8 Edilov

Round 2

Edilov takes the center of the cage again and begins stalking Mihajlovic on the outside. Mihajlovic is loading up his right hand, looking to counter with a big punch, but Edilov steps through with a knee and then takes down the Serbian again. It's more of the same once the fight hits the floor, with Edilov unloading a steady stream of ground-and-pound to the increasingly bloodied Mihajlovic. Referee Sataki is having a close look this time, and midway through the round, he steps in to halt the beating.

The Official Result

Abdul-Kerim Edilov def. Bojan Mihajlovic via TKO (Punches) R2 2:32

Zabit Magomedsharipov vs. Mike Santiago

Round 1

Magomedsharipov misses and slips on a head kick, jumps up and delivers a spinning kick to Santiago's midsection. Santiago presses forward now, looking for a takedown at the fence but instead settling for a clinch. Magomedsharipov turns him around and nearly puts the American on the mat with the whizzer, but both featherweights climb back to their feet. Magomedsharipov goes to the body with a right hand, waits for Santiago to come forward and jacks his jaw with an uppercut. Santiago is dazed but still standing as he dodges a flashy Showtime kick off the fence. Magomedsharipov denies a takedown attempt and holds Santiago in the Thai clinch to deliver a knee. Santiago is relentless on the takedown attempt, using a high body lock to try and drag Magomedsharipov to the floor. The Russian is able to keep his balance with his back against the fence. A body kick from Santiago puts Magomedsharipov on the retreat momentarily. Santiago clinches again, holding Magomedsharipov on the wall, but again isn't doing much with the position aside from a few knees to the legs. Magomedsharipov turns him around, separates and fires a few more flashy kicks in Santiago's direction. Santiago goes for a last-ditch takedown and nearly has his back taken as time expires.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Magomedsharipov
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Magomedsharipov
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Magomedsharipov

Round 2

Santiago presses forward at the start of the round but walks into jabs and low kicks from Magomedsharipov. The American tries to clinch, gets turned around and left on the fence as Magomedsharipov moves back toward the center. Diving on a single-leg, Santiago winds up on his knees at the base of the fence as Magomedsharipov looks to step over and take the back. Santiago is being aided by the fence, which is blocking Magomedsharipov from securing back-mount. Magomedsharipov is hunting for a rear-naked choke anyway, forcing Santiago to play defense. Halfway through the round, Magomedsharipov is firmly in control, socking Santiago with punches from the rear despite being unable to secure hooks. Santiago tries a kimura from the bottom, can't get anything going, and now Magomedsharipov rips him away from the fence. After a few more tries, Magomedsharipov finally gets under the chin with a rear-naked choke attempt, and it's only a matter of seconds before Santiago is tapping out.

The Official Result

Zabit Magomedsharipov def. Mike Santiago via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R2 4:22

Francimar Barroso vs. Aleksandar Rakic

Round 1

Barroso looks for a big right hand in the opening minutes of the fight, backing up as Rakic presses forward; the Brazilian lands a few glancing blows but not the knockout shot he's seeking. The Austrian is finding more success with his long, angled punches, particularly an uppercut which finds Barroso's chin on a few occasions. Rakic keeps his measured approach through the second half of the round, too, and blocks a late takedown attempt from Barroso, turning it around to force the Brazilian to finish the round on the defensive.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Rakic
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Rakic
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Rakic

Round 2

Rakic tags Barroso with an overhand right at the fence, but "Bodao" keeps his footing. Barroso looks frozen up, waiting to counter but finding few opportunities, and consequently mounting little offense of his own. Rakic is upping his aggression, stepping closer to Barroso, mixing up his punches to the body and head. An uppercut-left hook scores for Rakic toward the middle of the round, and he denies a single-leg attempt from Barroso. With two minutes left, Barroso clinches Rakic against the fence and hits a trip takedown. Barroso isn't able to do much of anything with the position before Rakic works back to his feet. When they stand, Barroso looks exhausted, and Rakic attacks with more punches. Barroso ducks low and picks the ankle of Rakic for a late takedown in the final 10 seconds.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Rakic
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Rakic
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Rakic

Round 3

Rakic continues to control the tempo and distance of the striking exchanges as the final round begins, constantly pressuring Barroso backward toward the fence with punching combinations and kicks. Rakic goes to the body with a kick, misses as he goes upstairs. Barroso looks wobbly as he circles around the outside, more from exhaustion than any particular strikes. Rakic lands a plunging right hand to the body, now tacks on some hard jabs to the face, another right to the body. Barroso tries to swing back, but Rakic is out of range by the time the Brazilian gets the punch off. With 60 seconds on the clock, Barroso lands a low kick to the cup of Rakic. The Austrian needs only a few seconds to compose himself, and the final minute of the fight ticks down without incident. After the horn, Barroso inexplicably jumps up on the fence to flex for the Dutch fans.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Rakic (30-27 Rakic)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Rakic (30-27 Rakic)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Rakic (30-27 Rakic)

The Official Result

Aleksandar Rakic def. Francimar Barroso via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Desmond Green vs. Rustam Khabilov

Round 1

Green looks to tie up early and gets tossed by Khabilov with a belly-to-belly suplex. The lightweights scramble back to their feet, both men testing the range with right hands before Khabilov goes diving for a takedown at the fence. Green resists at first, but Khabilov wraps him up and hurls him back to the floor. Back up comes Green, Khabilov still wrapped around his waist. "Tiger" keeps lifting and planting Green on the canvas but can't keep him there. The fighters separate to resume striking, with Khabilov landing an uppercut to the body and Green a straight left upstairs. Neither man is doing much volume work on the feet, where Khabilov controls the center of the cage and Green cuts angles around the outside.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Khabilov
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Khabilov
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Khabilov

Round 2

After a slow opening minute to round two, Khabilov scores with a body kick-left hook combo. Green answers with a few leg kicks as the American steps out to meet Khabilov in the center of the cage. Khabilov comes over the top with a right hand, answered by Green with a straight left hand. Khabilov shoots immediately, but his double is denied by Green, who blocks another shot a few seconds later. Green continues to shut down all of Khabilov's takedown attempts through the middle of the round. Khabilov latches on to a single-leg and nearly trips up Green, but ultimately the takedown is stuffed.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Khabilov
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Green
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-10

Round 3

Another slow start to the round leads to a groin shot as Khabilov connects with an inadvertant low blow. Referee Neil Hall pauses the action, but Green doesn't need much time to recover. Both men seem content to ride out this round without much action, as neither man is acting as the aggressor with three minutes on the clock. A right hand from Green appears to get the attention of Khabilov, who steps inside to throw an elbow and instead has his back taken by Green while standing. Green looks for a suplex, but Khabilov peels away his hands and escapes. Now it's Green looking for a takedown, Khabilov blocking. There's not much to separate the fighters in this final round, and Green looks to steal it in the closing seconds by taking down Khabilov and jumping on his back just before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Green (29-28 Khabilov)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Green (29-28 Green)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Green (29-29 Draw)

The Official Result

Rustam Khabilov def. Desmond Green via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Mads Burnell vs. Michel Prazeres

Round 1

Prazeres looks to clinch up early in the center of the cage, but he's quickly hustled to the fence with an underhook from Burnell. After a short bout of clinching, "Trator" trips the Dane to the floor and begins working to pass the half guard. Burnell loses half guard but regains it as Prazeres works from a threatening position on the left side. Prazeres is relentless in his attempt to pass guard, but Burnell is working well from the bottom, keeping him contained with a knee inside. With two minutes on the clock, Prazeres passes to side control on Burnell's right. Prazeres leans right to left across Burnell's body but doesn't seem to be in a rush to make anything happen. Burnell shrimps inside, latches on to a leg and escapes to his feet. Prazeres gives him no room to run, tracking him down at the fence and dumping Burnell back to the ground with a minute remaining. Prazeres steps over to full mount momentarily, but Burnell shrimps inside again and recovers half guard.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Prazeres
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Prazeres
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Prazeres

Round 2

Burnell finds more success with his punches in the first minute of round two, cracking Prazeres with a hard uppercut as the Brazilian moves inside to clinch. "Trator" tries to come inside again, now eating a left hook, but this time Burnell is unable to resist the takedown. Prazeres works from half guard on Burnell's right side with more than three minutes remaining in the round. Another minute ticks away without much action, just stifling top control from Prazeres and constant attempts to escape from Burnell, who is stuck underneath the smaller but more powerful man. Prazeres nearly secures a north-south choke but ultimately loses it as Burnell spins around and gets on his knees. Prazeres finishes the round with Burnell in a headlock.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Prazeres
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Prazeres
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Prazeres

Round 3

Burnell comes out swinging and finds the chin of Prazeres, who swings back but ultimately cannot resist diving for another takedown. Burnell hits the deck again, Prazeres moves straight to side control, and they're back in the familiar position from previous rounds. Prazeres spins to north-south position and frames up the choke again; this time, there's no fence impeding the Brazilian's movement, and he's able to sink his hips to the floor. Burnell has no choice but to tap out.

The Official Result

Michel Prazeres def. Mads Burnell via Submission (North-South Choke) R3 1:26

Felipe Silva vs. Mairbek Taisumov

Round 1

Silva tests the distance with a front kick, flicks out a jab, but can't find the backpedaling Taisumov in a nervy opening minute. Taisumov swings a big right hand, missing and nearly falling over from the force of his shot. Silva continues to walk down Taisumov, backing him up toward the fence. Silva misses with a right hand, leaves his hands down and doesn't see a massive counter right from Taisumov coming his way. The punch lands clean as could be, and Silva goes face-first to the canvas as referee Leon Roberts steps in for the stoppage. Mairbek Taisumov returns to the cage with a highlight reel, 84-second knockout.

The Official Result

Mairbek Taisumov def. Felipe Silva via KO (Punch) R1 1:24

Darren Till vs. Bojan Velickovic

Round 1

The welterweights exchange leg kicks in the opening minute, with the taller Till pressing forward, moving Velickovic around the outside. Velickovic starts to up his volume on the low kicks but has to slow down again when Till catches hold of a leg. As Velickovic's back hits the fence, Till steps inside and levels the Serbian with a standing elbow. Velickovic recovers quickly under fire, somehow avoiding a stoppage as Till pours on the punches. Velickovic works back to his feet with two minutes on the clock, leaking blood from the right side of his head. Velickovic calls for the crowd to cheer, then gives Till a mid-fight hug as both men smile. Till hits the side of Velickovic's head with a looping left; Velickovic wobbles for a moment, then swings back with a right hand that grazes Till's face. The rest of the round passes without much incident, with both men raising their hands for cheers from the crowd before the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-8 Till
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-8 Till
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-8 Till

Round 2

Till sticks a jab in the face of Velickovic within seconds of the horn, then continues to keep the shorter man on the outside with rangy strikes. Velickovic goes diving for a takedown from a mile away, gets denied by Till and then eats a hard, straight left from the Englishman. Till catches a kick from Velickovic and runs him to the canvas at the base of the fence. Velickovic lands a few hammerfists from the bottom; Till just leaves his head in place and grins at Velickovic, clearly not concerned with the strikes. Till postures up in Velickovic's guard to drive a single elbow into the Serbian's face, then does it again. Velickovic uses a headlock to work back to his feet, and now the 170-pounders are back to striking with two minutes on the clock. Velickovic works the lead leg of Till with leg kicks, staying out of range of Till's long jabs for the time being. Till's right leg is looking chewed up, and he's a bit more hesitant to come inside on Velickovic late in round two. Velickovic gets off one of his best punches, a right hand over the top, in the closing moments.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Till
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Till
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Till

Round 3

Velickovic shouts across the cage to Till just before the round begins, telling the Englishman "let's show these fans a show." Till obliges by moving forward across the cage and slugging Velickovic with a long, straight left as he's backed up against the wall. Till lands the left again, stepping through and then reversing course with a slashing back-elbow. The welterweights tie up on the fence briefly, Till on the outside, and now they break with 3:30 on the clock. Till continues to generate good force behind his jab, though they're not landing with the same regularity as earlier in the fight. Velickovic finds a nifty counter hook but can't follow up. Till steps inside and cracks Velickovic with a blistering left hand, then tries to pound him out on the floor. Velickovic recovers again, so Till stands up and calls for cheers from the crowd as he allows "Serbian Steel" to stand. With 80 seconds left, Till is going to his back foot, allowing Velickovic to come forward but avoiding any significant strikes from the shorter man.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-8 Till (30-25 Till)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Till (30-26 Till)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Till (30-26 Till)

The Official Result

Darren Till def. Bojan Velickovic via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Bryan Barberena vs. Leon Edwards

Round 1

Both welterweights line up in the southpaw stance, with Edwards working from the center of the cage and Barberena circling left around the perimeter. The fighters trade low kicks, then Edwards goes upstairs with a right high kick that bounces off Barberena's left glove. A strong low kick from Edwards spins Barberena around in place, and now "Rocky" connects with a sneaky right uppercut. Edwards catches a body kick and slugs Barberena with a straight left counter, then runs the American to the ground near the fence. Edwards spins to the back of Barberena, sinks in his left hook, but his right side is being blocked by the cage. Under two minutes remain on the clock as Edwards looks to secure back-mount and hunt for a rear-naked choke. Edwards finally secures his right hook, trapping Barberena's right arm in the process, but "Bam Bam" yanks the limb free moments later. Edwards continues to work for the RNC in the last 30 seconds but can't secure the choke before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Edwards
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Edwards
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Edwards

Round 2

An early clinch leads to a trip takedown attempt from Edwards as the welterweights grapple on the fence. Barberena keeps his balance and spins "Rocky" around with over-unders. Barberena lands a few knees to the body and a glancing elbow as he separates from the Englishman with 3:30 on the clock. Edwards catches a kick, tries to run Barberena to the ground; Barberena aids him by turning around and trying to escape, and Edwards jumps on his back as they hit the floor. The fence helps Barberena once again, blocking Edwards from securing both hooks, and now Barberena climbs back to his feet with Edwards draped all over him. Edwards drops to try a double-leg at the fence, takes a few elbows to the side of the head and comes back to a standing position. The 170-pounders break with 80 seconds left in the round, both men connecting with punches. Suddenly, Edwards walks into an uppercut from Barberena and hits the deck in a daze. Barberena pounces and tries to pound him out but seems indecisive about going for a choke instead. This allows Edwards time to recover and flip over, then ride out the round with Barberena in his guard.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Barberena
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Barberena
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Barberena

Round 3

Barberena lands a leg kick, blocks a right high kick from Edwards as both men largely sit back in an inactive opening minute. Edwards dives for a takedown, wrestles Barberena to the floor and moves to half guard, where he begins framing up an arm-triangle choke. Edwards' progress is blocked by the cage once again. Edwards moves to the back of Barberena, securing the position with a body triangle before starting to hunt for a rear-naked choke. "Rocky" squeezes tight on a RNC attempt but isn't under the chin of Barberena. The next try from Edwards looks much closer, but again he's unable to fully sink the choke. Barberena breaks the body triangle and escapes to his feet inside the final 60 seconds. Edwards drops for a double-leg at the fence, and Barberena tries to make him pay with elbows to the head. Barberena is taken down again, grabbing a kimura on the way to the floor. Edwards spins to the back of Barberena as the American stands again. Barberena tries to roll for a knee, can't secure a leg but shakes Edwards off his back just before time runs out.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Edwards (29-28 Edwards)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Edwards (29-28 Edwards)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Edwards (29-28 Edwards)

The Official Result

Leon Edwards def. Bryan Barberena via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Talita de Oliveira Bernardo vs. Marion Reneau

Round 1

Reneau pressures from the opening bell, working outward from the center and pumping her jab in the face of the UFC newcomer. It's Bernardo taking the first major action of the fight, however, taking down the "Bruiser" with a quick shot near the fence. Reneau looks to throw up a triangle as soon as her back hits the canvas, but her fellow BJJ black belt Bernardo snuffs out the sub attempt. Reneau sweeps the standing Bernardo, who drops back to try a heel hook or kneebar but can't get any purchase on Reneau's leg. Reneau attempts a triangle, switches to an armbar but can't secure either one. This leaves Bernardo back on top, where she straddles Reneau's head in north-south position. Bernardo takes the back of Reneau but can't keep the position as Reneau turns her shoulder to the mat and rolls to her back. Inside the final minute of a grapple-heavy opening frame, it's Bernardo working from top position, keeping Reneau pinned down until the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Bernardo
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Bernardo
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Bernardo

Round 2

Reneau steps forward with punches, mixing up her strikes to the body and head, including a right hand to the face that puts Bernardo on the retreat. Bernardo eats a left hook, dives for a takedown and gets left on the mat by Reneau. Referee Kevin Sataki orders Bernardo back to her feet with 3:30 left in the round. Reneau isn't giving Bernardo much space to work, keeping the Brazilian backed up against the fence while firing punches to the body and head. Bernardo flops to guard; Reneau wants her back up. Bernardo changes levels, looks like she'll be stuffed on the takedown attempt, but she gets Reneau off balance and runs her to the floor. Reneau uses a headlock to get up, landing a knee to Bernardo's body as they separate. With one minute left, Reneau pins Bernardo against the fence with a right underhook and uses her left arm to land short elbows to the face. Reneau lands a hard, straight right which sends Bernardo diving for a takedown in the closing seconds.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Reneau
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Reneau
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Reneau

Round 3

Reneau comes out firing with a straight right hand down the center, then sprawls to deny an early takedown attempt from the Brazilian. Bernardo keeps going and drives Reneau to the floor, where Reneau throws up another dangerous triangle. Reneau can't cinch the choke, switches to an armbar, then back to a triangle. Again, Bernardo is able to escape danger and remain in top position. Halfway through the round, Reneau sits up with Bernardo in her guard and begins hunting for a headlock or guillotine. Bernardo buries her face and turtles up, allowing Reneau to spin around to the back. Reneau sinks in both hooks and slaps on a rear-naked choke. Bernardo nearly escapes, then rolls over, leaving Reneau in full mount. Reneau is pounding away with left hands, trying to put away Bernardo with 45 seconds on the clock. Bernardo is just covering up here, allowing Reneau to bash away with both hands. Referee Sataki is having a close look, and with Bernardo not intelligently defending herself, he stops the bout with just seconds left.

The Official Result

Marion Reneau def. Talita Bernardo via TKO (Punches) R3 4:54

Siyar Bahadurzada vs. Rob Wilkinson

Round 1

Wilkinson tries to check the incoming Bahadurzada with low kicks, then a high kick, but the latter is caught by Bahadurzada and nearly used to rush the Aussie to the floor. Wilkinson gets back to his feet and walks after the Afghan fighter, both throwing punches but neither man connecting with anything major in the early going. Wilkinson gets a quick takedown at the fence but can't keep Bahadurzada on the floor, and now the middleweights clinch on the fence. Bahadurzada escapes and walks down Wilkinson with a body kick, then tries to catch the taller man in a D'arce/brabo choke. Bahadurzada isn't able to roll Wilkinson to finish the choke, and Wilkinson finishes the round clinching Bahadurzada against the fence, landing a hard knee from behind just before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Bahadurzada
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Bahadurzada
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Bahadurzada

Round 2

Bahadurzada comes out aggressive to start round two, putting Wilkinson on his back foot in a reverse of the opening round. Wilkinson comes over the top with a straight right, tries to land it again but can't find the mark. Bahadurzada comes forward with an overhand of his own that gets Wilkinson running. Wilkinson escapes immediate danger and seems to have recovered when Bahadurzada decks him with another huge overhand shot. Bahadurzada tries to pound out his downed opponent, can't get the stoppage from referee Leon Roberts. Wilkinson staggers back to his feet, gets more punches and drops again, and Bahadurzada needs only a few more punhes to force the ref into action this time.

The Official Result

Siyar Bahadurzada def. Rob Wilkinson via TKO (Punches) R2 3:10

Alexander Volkov vs. Stefan Struve

Round 1

English referee Marc Goddard is the third man in the cage for tonight's heavyweight main event, scheduled for five rounds. Volkov goes body-head with his first combination, eats a straight right from Struve in return. The Dutchman is busy with leg kicks in the opening 90 seconds, but Volkov slows that down with a clinch on the fence. Struve breaks out and resumes his jabbing as he presses forward on the former Bellator champion. Volkov catches the incoming "Skyscraper" with a stiff jab to the grill. Volkov catches a kick and trips Struve to the floor, but Struve comes back up with guns blazing and zaps the Russian with a big uppercut. Volkov eats it and pushes Struve against the cage, but he can't keep the massive Dutchman trapped for more than a few seconds. Volkov tries to creep into the pocket, gets a knee to the chest and a straight right to the face. Volkov, looking a bit drained from the heavy shots he absorbed, manages to get hold of Struve and deliver a hard knee to the gut. Struve pushes Volkov backward and comes flying in with a knee that cuts "Drago" open. Volkov catches the flying Struve and hustles him to the floor, regaining some ground in the final 20 seconds by roughing up Struve with heavy punches.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Volkov
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Struve
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Struve

Round 2

Volkov emerges for round two sporting a nasty cut on a mouse underneath his left eye. Struve keeps his measured striking approach, using his enormous reach to work his way into range against the Russian. The outstretched hand of Struve catches Volkov in the right eye, however, and referee Goddard is forced to pause the fight for the foul. Goddard determines that the eye poke was accidental, so Struve is not docked a point for the infraction. Struve comes over the top with a right hand as action resumes, but Volkov slugs him with a huge uppercut that has Struve bending backward like a tree in the wind. Another massive right hand from Volkov forces Struve backward, briefly covering up against the fence. Volkov gets another poke to the eye in an exchange; despite a prior warning, Struve does not lose a point for the second foul. Action resumes with 90 seconds on the clock and the massive heavyweights trading low kicks. Volkov is turning up the heat as the final minute ticks down, banging Struve around the outside with punches to the body and head. Struve is on the retreat, his nose bloodied as the round draws to a close.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Volkov
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Volkov
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Volkov

Round 3

The opening minute of round three sees a double eye poke between the heavyweights, and a stern warning from referee Goddard for both fighters to mind their fingers. Volkov backs up Struve to the fence with a right hand over the guard of the "Skyscraper." Struve comes back to the center, swinging punches, but his lead leg buckles as Volkov lands a heavy low kick. Another right hand from Volkov turns the Dutchman's head, now midway through the round and the fight. Volkov looks to be taking charge of the fight here, really roughing up Struve on the outside and turning up the volume on his punches. An uppercut, a left hook and another uppercut force Struve to cover up, then drop to his seat at the fence. Volkov looks to tee off and finish the fight, but referee Marc Goddard is already on his way in for the stoppage.

The Official Result

Alexander Volkov def. Stefan Struve via TKO (Punches) R3 3:30