Alexander Volkov expressed disappointment that the UFC awarded Ciryl Gane another title opportunity. Volkov referenced their first fight, noting it was very close and that Gane poked him in the eye, forcing him to pause. He stated that eye pokes are part of Gane's pattern, having also done something similar in his bout with Aspinall. While acknowledging Gane's skills, Volkov described him as "a bit of a dirty fighter."
