'Let's go Russia?' US MMA fans to cheer for Alexander 'Drago' Volkov as controversial Greg Hardy steps in at UFC Moscow

Controversial UFC star Greg Hardy will now take on Alexander Volkov at UFC Moscow, with the bout dropping down the card to the co-main event slot, and fans have flocked to social media to claim their backing for the Russian star.

Reports from ESPN stateside have suggested that Hardy is set to step in to replace former UFC heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos, who was reportedly pulled from the main event matchup due to a bacterial infection in his leg that left him hospitalized as he received treatment.

With Hardy's imminent arrival on the fight card, UFC officials have taken the decision to adjust the bout order at the top of the bill, with Dagestan featherweight star Zabit Magomedsharipov's matchup against American Calvin Kattar now set to headline the event in a three-round main event on November 9.

The news may serve to pile on the frustration for Francis Ngannou, who had hinted online earlier on Tuesday that he might be keen on stepping in on short notice to take on the former Bellator heavyweight champion.

But instead the UFC has opted to draft in Hardy, who drew more controversy at UFC Boston when he was captured on camera using an inhaler between rounds – and act that led to his win over Ben Sosoli being adjudged a no-contest.

Ngannou reacted to the news with humor that only just drew a veil over his frustration, as he tweeted: "I love the UFC game, it's so funny. #UFCMoscow"

The American, whose checkered past – including a conviction for domestic abuse which was later quashed on appeal – cut a dejected figure during his post-fight press conference and appeared particularly disappointed to have let down his bosses at the UFC.

In accepting a short-notice assignment halfway around the world in Moscow, Hardy will hope to appease the UFC's top brass, while also taking his chance to knock over one of the heavyweight division's top contenders.

The news has been met with a strong response online, with fans seemingly queueing up to throw their support behind Russian star Volkov.

"Let's go... Russia?" tweeted one fan, while another tweeted a GIF of WWE superstar Rusev pulling into an arena in a tank with a Russian flag with the message: "Suddenly I love Russia".

Another fan, inspired by Volkov's Rocky IV-themed nickname "Drago" simply posted a GIF of Dolph Lundgren's legendary character, which carried the famous line: "If he dies, he dies."

And one sarcastic fan tweeted Hardy and his management to make a medical inquiry, asking if the heavyweight would be bringing his now-infamous inhaler to Russia with him.