Alexander Volkov expressed disappointment that the UFC has given Ciryl Gane another title opportunity. Volkov referenced Gane's recent bout with Tom Aspinall and their own previous encounter, stating that what Gane did against Aspinall was not an isolated incident. He alleged that Gane poked him in the eye during their first fight when the bout was competitive, forcing him to take a pause. Volkov characterized Gane as a skilled fighter but one who employs "dirty" tactics in the cage.
Alexander Volkov has gone on record criticizing the UFC's decision to award Ciryl Gane another shot at the heavyweight title, voicing frustration over what he described as the Frenchman's unsportsmanlike conduct inside the cage.
Volkov, the number-one ranked heavyweight contender at 37 years old, carries a record of 40 wins and 11 losses fighting out of Russia's Strela Team. Standing six-foot-seven with an 80-inch reach, the orthodox striker known as "Drago" is one of the division's most prolific and accurate punchers, averaging 4.78 significant strikes per minute at a 57 percent accuracy rate.
Gane, ranked second in the division at 36 years old, holds a record of 14-2-0 and fights out of MMA Factory in France. The orthodox heavyweight stands six-foot-four with an 81-inch reach and is no stranger to title contention. He averages 5.29 significant strikes per minute at 61 percent accuracy, making him one of the sharper technical strikers in the heavyweight class.
Volkov's criticism centered on two specific incidents. He alleged that during their previous fight, at a moment when the contest was closely competitive, Gane poked him in the eye and forced a pause in the action. Volkov stated that what Gane did in his bout against current heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall was not an isolated event, linking the two incidents as part of a broader pattern. Aspinall, the 33-year-old English champion who holds a 15-3-0 record, is widely regarded as the division's most dangerous active fighter, averaging an exceptional 7.63 significant strikes per minute.
While Volkov acknowledged Gane's technical ability, he characterized the fighter as someone who resorts to "dirty" tactics when fights become difficult.
Why it matters
- Volkov sits directly ahead of Gane in the rankings, making the UFC's decision to bypass him a significant point of contention
- If the title shot is confirmed, the heavyweight title picture becomes more complicated for the top-ranked contender
- The friction between Volkov and Gane could set up a future matchup with added stakes beyond a standard divisional bout
