Roy Nelson

Roy Nelson vs. Alexander Volkov

Round 1
Volkov attacks with an early head kick which is blocked but knocks Nelson off balance, leading to a brief clinch on the fence. Nelson inches forward on the towering Russian, who fends off "Big Country" with some kicks to the body. Nelson shoots in on a single-leg, can't get it and winds up pressing Volkov against the wall with an underhook. Double underhooks for Nelson now, looking for the outside trip, but Volkov defends well and keeps his footing. Volkov reverses to the outside and gives Nelson a few knees to the gut. Nelson reaches around the back to hook Volkov's rear leg and now manages to complete the trip. Volkov sits up against the fence, nearly stands but has his right ankle picked out from under him, and Nelson maintains top position. Nelson puts the top of his head underneath Volkov's jaw and keeps his head trapped against the fence as he works to flatten out the Russian on the ground. Volkov is fishing for something from guard, perhaps a triangle or kimura, but Nelson is giving him no space to work. With little happening on the ground, referee Dan Miragliotta orders the fighters back to their feet inside the final 30 seconds. Volkov blitzes Nelson with punches and knees, forcing "Big Country" to back up to the cage. Nelson hangs in the pocket with Volkov, however, and even slugs "Drago" back with a big right hand just before the horn.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Nelson
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Volkov
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Nelson

Round 2
Nelson looks a bit more tentative after a frantic end to the first round, but he soon works his way back inside and pins Volkov to the fence. Volkov works an overhook and wrist control, making it tough for Nelson to work for his double-leg. Volkov breaks loose and lands a pair of punches, followed by a kick to the midsection. Nelson steps forward again, hands low, then shoots in behind a leg kick to try the double. Volkov denies the shot and pushes Nelson back to the middle of the cage to resume striking. Volkov's jabs and kicks are keeping Nelson on the outside, but the former IFL heavyweight manages to get through with a bombing overhand right. Both big men are looking tired as they hit the final minute of round two, but it's Volkov continuing to snap off jabs and stifle Nelson's attacks. Volkov blocks an overhand right and dings Nelson with a counter right hand. Nelson tries a late shot, stuffed by Volkov, and Nelson gives him a mocking wide-eyed stare as time runs out.
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
Volkov steps backward as Nelson comes forward, stuffing a shot from "Big Country" and roughing up the American with punches as he tries to get back to his feet. It's more measured striking and long jabs from Volkov here in the final round, never allowing the tired Nelson to get too close. Nelson is breathing heavy as he walks forward with his hands held low, Volkov continually placing front kicks in his breadbasket. Nelson charges forward and lands an uppercut, but after circling away, Volkov gets right back to his jabbing and kicking. Two minutes left as Nelson continues to try and get inside; instead, he gets more kicks to the midsection, more jabs to the face. Volkov rocks the head of Nelson with a right straight-uppercut and a kick to the body, then closes out the fight with a few more body kicks.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Volkov (29-28 Volkov)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Volkov (30-27 Volkov)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Volkov (29-28 Volkov)

The Official Result
Alexander Volkov def. Roy Nelson via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Derrick Lewis vs. Roy Nelson

Round 1
Lewis opens with a couple kicks to the midsection of Nelson, who stakes out the center of the cage to start the fight. Nelson runs at Lewis with a right hand, misses and winds up pressing the “Black Beast” against the fence. Lewis widens his base and stays vertical with the help of a cage post, while Nelson stays glued on and tries to wrestle the larger man to the floor. After a minute or so of inactivity, referee John McCarthy separates the big men. Lewis bursts forward with punches and a head kick, but Nelson changes levels and drives him to the mat for the first takedown of the bout. Lewis powers back to his feet and drills Nelson with a knee to the stomach, then follows up with two or three big uppercuts as Nelson tries to wheel away. Nelson gets hold of Lewis and pushes him against the fence again, slowing the pace with 90 seconds on the clock. Referee McCarthy breaks them up again with 30 seconds remaining in the round, and Lewis goes on the offensive with more big uppercuts. Nelson looks hurt, stumbling backward as Lewis attacks, but once again “Big Country” is able to wrap up his opponent for a takedown.

Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Lewis
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Lewis
Mike Sloan scores the round 10-9 Lewis

Round 2
Both heavyweights are looking for the homerun shot early in the second stanza, but Nelson’s right hand pulls up short and Lewis’ is deflected. Nelson steps forward slowly while Lewis backs away, leading to an uneventful couple of minutes at the top of the round. Two minutes in, Nelson digs an underhook and shoves Lewis against the wall. “Big Country” gets the takedown and passes to side control, then leans right to left across Lewis’ body to frame up a kimura. While Nelson looks for the submission, Lewis rolls free and powers back to his feet. The escape is short-lived, as Nelson pulls him right back to the canvas. Lewis gets up again, only to be taken down again, and now Nelson puts his weight on his opponent from cross-side control. Lewis is back up again with only seconds to go, and he finishes the round swinging.

Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Nelson
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Nelson
Mike Sloan scores the round 10-9 Nelson

Round 3
Nelson goes after an early takedown and succeeds in single-legging Lewis to the ground near the fence in the opening minute of the round. Lewis works slowly back to his feet but can’t escape the clutches of “Big Country,” who holds Lewis on the fence until he’s able to take him down again. Lewis gets up again, but Nelson stays stuck on him, throwing knees to the legs and body as they rest in a weary clinch. Referee McCarthy resets the fighters with just over a minute on the clock, and Lewis wastes no time in slugging Nelson with a right hand. Lewis follows with a kick to the body, closes in on Nelson near the fence and hits him with a pair of rights. Nelson wraps him up in a bodylock, but Lewis separates with 20 seconds left. Nelson gets caught flailing and eats a huge right hand, but it could be too little, too late for Lewis.

Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Nelson (29-28 Nelson)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Lewis (29-28 Lewis)
Mike Sloan scores the round 10-9 Nelson (29-28 Nelson)

The Official Result
Derrick Lewis def. Roy Nelson via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29) R3 5:00