Volkov Edges Cortes-Acosta by Unanimous Decision at UFC 328

Alexander Volkov used range striking and leg kicks to win a three-round decision over Waldo Cortes-Acosta on the UFC 328 card. The bout stayed standing for all three rounds and went to the judges, who scored the fight for Volkov.

Fight summary

Volkov controlled much of the fight with low kicks, calf kicks and body shots. He mixed in jabs and the occasional head kick attempt to keep distance. Cortes-Acosta pushed forward more in the final round, trying to force the action, but could not do enough to win a round on the scorecards.

The judges returned a unanimous decision for Volkov with scores of 30-27 and 29-28 twice.

Round-by-round details

Round 1: Volkov opened with inside leg kicks and a few calf kicks. Cortes-Acosta tried to close distance and land punches but did not find any major blows. Volkov kept his range and landed body kicks and jabs while avoiding sustained pressure.

Round 2: Volkov continued to attack the legs and body. He landed a jab that briefly wobbled Cortes-Acosta. Cortes-Acosta threw more low kicks and tried to flurry, but Volkov stayed patient and picked his shots from distance. A blocked head kick and a short combination by Volkov stood out in this round.

Round 3: The final round saw Cortes-Acosta press forward with more urgency. There was a brief pause for an eye poke early in the frame. Volkov bled from the nose at one point but kept using calf and body kicks to hinder his opponent. Cortes-Acosta landed some combinations and knees in the clinch, but Volkov defended well and landed a few key jabs and kicks before the final bell.

Result and key notes

Volkov won by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28). The win came after three hard-fought rounds that stayed mostly on the feet. Volkov’s kicking game and striking at range were the deciding factors. Cortes-Acosta showed late pressure but could not overcome Volkov’s distance control.