Aleksei Oleinik gave Fabricio Werdum a rude welcome back to the octagon Saturday at UFC 249.

Oleinik (59-13-1 MMA, 8-4 UFC) produced an surprising, yet very effective, strategy of out-striking the former UFC heavyweight champion for the better part of three rounds to secure a split decision win (28-29, 29-28 and 29-28), despite a late rally from Werdum (23-9-1 MMA, 11-6 UFC).

Oleinik attempted to get a jump on Werdum’s cage rust as he landed a hard right in the opening seconds that got some respect from the Brazilian. Oleinik continued to pressure, throwing more powerful strikes than any of his previous UFC fights, and with much success. Werdum really struggled to get his footage, and quickly found himself in survival mode. Werdum tried to tie up Oleinik and work from the clinch, but couldn’t get much off and overcome Oleinik turning in one of his best career rounds.

Oleinik’s confidence on the feet grew even bigger to start the second round. He walked down Werdum down, and even threw a spinning backfist. Werdum could only try to tie him up, then made a move to drag the action to the ground. Oleinik wasn’t having it, though, and managed to create distance. The midway point of the fight then hit, and fatigue became very evident in Oleinik’s body language. Werdum shot for a completed an easy takedown, changing the complexion of the fight in an instant. Werdum couldn’t keep it on the mat, and Oleinik got back up to his feet and worked his striking game for the rest of the round.

Werdum had a big moment in the final round when he got Oleinik on the ground and had the opportunity to threaten for a submission. Werdum had the angle for an armbar, but Oleinik stayed patient and calm in order to escape and get into the guard. Werdum attacked from the bottom with a kimura and managed to flip Oleinik over to make things really dangerous, but couldn’t finish. Werdum then went for a rear-naked choke, then an armbar, yet he couldn’t get it done. Oleinik got to the feet, where he worked striking from close distance before getting taken back down. Werdum had a major late effort, but it wasn’t enough to sway the judges.

Oleinik’s split-decision nod marked the first time he’s won on the scorecards since August 2010.

The heavyweight bout was part of the UFC 249 preliminary card at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla. It aired on ESPN/ESPN+ following early prelims on UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+ and ahead of a main card on pay-per-view.

Up-to-the-minute UFC 249 results include:

• Aleksei Oleinik def. Fabricio Werdum via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
• Carla Esparza def. Michelle Waterson via split decision (27-30, 29-28, 30-27)
• Vicente Luque def. Niko Price via TKO (doctor’s stoppage) – Round 3, 3:37
• Bryce Mitchell def. Charles Rosa via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-24)
• Ryan Spann def. Sam Alvey via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)