Alexander Volkov remains a model of consistency in the UFC heavyweight division.
At UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi this past Saturday, Volkov kept his winning streak alive, defeating Rizvan Kuniev by one decision. The result extended Volkov’s streak to three straight, with only one loss coming over the past eight appearances.
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Notably, Volkov, 38, shared his pre-fight appearance during a surprise interview with UFC CEO Dana White and asked what he needs to do to earn his first UFC title shot. White initially appeared not to recognize Volkov, even though he had fought at heavyweight 20 times in the promotion. The scene went viral as White, viciously returned to Volkov, with main champion Alexander Volkanovski also trying to help White, sitting to the right of White on stage.
On Wednesday’s edition of “The Ariel Helwani Show”, Volkov said that he was not going to attend a press conference, which is how he came up with the idea of entering as a member of the crew. Whether White recognized him, he did not believe himself openly.
“Of course he didn’t recognize me,” said Volkov with a frown. “First of all, I’m a Russian fighter. I’m not sure who can remember my name. I guarantee every time he hears my name, he thinks he’s talking about Alexander Volkanovski.
“That’s fine. There are 100 or more fighters on the list, so he doesn’t recognize every fighter. But seriously, he doesn’t have an answer. [to] hercules And I asked him: What shall I do? What was I supposed to do to fight for the title?’ They don’t always have this answer.
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“[Fighters] not to decide [who gets it]”Volkov added.” I’m just doing my job.”
Almost a week later, Volkov is still waiting for an answer, with White’s non-committal about the title shot of Volkov in a press conference, despite his victory over Kuniev. “Drago” admits that he feels the love and affection from the fans to say that he will, though.
Finally, he’s not getting too upset about it.
“I’m not frustrated with anyone anymore. I’m too old for it. I just know what to do,” said Volkov.
“Very well, I can’t cry everywhere that I deserve it, or I’m next. What I can do is just ask the focus that I think to do. This is the only question about them. Give me everything to do, because I’ve done a lot. I’m like the most proven fighter in the UFC [heavyweight division] right now I win my streak, in my first, I can do everything well with every fighter now. Im the best striker in the UFC. I have a black belt in BJJ. I can fight with anyone; it does not matter who the opponent is. “
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One of Volkov’s biggest knocks in his last career was a lack of boundaries. Volkov did not shake or submit his opponent when he choked Ezekiel Tai Tuivasa in the second round in September 2023.
Volkov is said to have been a boisterous fighter in recent fights, not sitting down and being overly inflated. Many see the claim as a testament to the strength of the schedule, which if it means competitive fights, that’s fine with him.
Alexander Volkov had a surprising viral interaction with Dana White at the UFC 333 press conference.
(Jeff Bottari via Getty Images)
“To be honest, I’m not the title-hunting type,” Volkov said. “This belt doesn’t define me. I’m just a champion. I understand who I am, what I can do, what guys I can beat. It’s the opposite. The fighter who has the belt defines what the belt means.
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“If you want the belt to be a big prize, you have to have a guy who proves his record, who can beat everyone, who is a true martial artist. Not just someone who does great things or breaks all the fights, trying to hurt his opponents.
“I hate everyone. I fight the world,” Volkov continued. “I fight well, and I’m still the best in the game. I don’t use any drugs; I’ve been a world athlete all my life through martial arts.”
The rapidly changing landscape of the heavyweight division, especially at the top, has left Volkov in a holding pattern. With Tom Aspinall vacating the championship recently, newly crowned champion Cyril Gane will defend his belt against Josh Hokit at UFC 334 on November 14 at Madison Square Garden.
Aspinall remains sidelined with the eye injuries he suffered against Gane in October 2025. But if he can return sooner rather than later, Volkov fully supports the idea of Aspinal’s first fight being for the recently dropped title.
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That would leave Volkov waiting around longer, presumably for the winner of the upcoming Alex Pereira vs Sergei Pavlovich fight set for December.
“It looks like Pereira vs. Pavlovich should be the next contender’s fight,” Volkov said. “So maybe the winner of this fight should be my next opponent. I like the way he looks. I can’t see anyone else right now.” [is] at the top no one can fight for the belt. Or maybe a fight with Josh Hokit will be good too, so I can [have] enjoy it with him and have another good week with the UFC”.
A mild feud started brewing between Volkov and Hokit after Volkov shot a surprise “praise” of Hokit’s title earlier this month. As a joke, Volkov expressed how he thought the UFC class was giving someone a title shot for “mental illness.”
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Hokit responded on social media shortly after, lambasting Volkov for being boring and saying the Russian should be fired with former UFC heavyweight contender Jailton Almeida.
Volkov was fearless and unusual in his comments, expecting nothing less. Based on what happened in Hokit’s title fight with Gane, Volkov could have his next opponent lined up in the form of “The Incredible Hok”.
“He’s an adult. He thinks he’s a kid in elementary school. That’s it,” Volkov said. “I was able to have this answer when I started with my classmates. This is not an argument. He fights maybe a large sum of fights and a half in the organization, and he has a title shot.
“Again, this just defines what the belt means. Not the opposite. … Maybe I agree – it’s not bad. I can still beat everyone in the heavyweight division right now. With an easy smile, I’m confident, I’ll do everything to fight eight.
“I’m showing everyone that I have no problem putting on a show or an interview with reporters, whatever it is. It’s better for him to face me in the Octagon, and we’ll see who’s better.”