Alexander Volkov expressed disappointment that the UFC granted 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 take a break. He stated that what Gane did against Aspinall was not the first time such tactics occurred. Volkov acknowledged Gane's good skills but characterized him as "a bit of a dirty fighter." The comments reflect ongoing frustration with Gane's fighting style and UFC matchmaking decisions.
Alexander Volkov has gone on record criticizing the UFC's decision to hand Ciryl Gane another heavyweight title shot, calling the French contender "a bit of a dirty fighter" and expressing clear frustration with how the matchmaking has unfolded.
Volkov, 37, holds the number-one ranking in the heavyweight division and carries a 40-11-0 professional record. The Russian standout, who fights out of Strela Team, stands six-foot-seven with an 80-inch reach and has built a reputation as one of the division's most prolific strikers, averaging 4.78 significant strikes per minute at a 57 percent accuracy rate. He pointed directly to his own history with Gane, describing their previous bout as very close and alleging that Gane poked him in the eye during the fight, forcing a break in the action. He added that what Gane did against Tom Aspinall was not the first time such tactics had appeared.
Gane, ranked second at heavyweight with a 14-2-0 record, is 36 years old and fights out of MMA Factory in France. The six-foot-four contender carries an 81-inch reach — the longest of the three men involved in this story — and lands 5.29 significant strikes per minute at 61 percent accuracy. Volkov acknowledged Gane's genuine technical ability while maintaining his characterization of the fighter's in-cage conduct.
Champion Tom Aspinall, 33, holds a 15-3-0 record and sits sixth in the pound-for-pound rankings. The Englishman is among the most complete heavyweights in the sport, landing 7.63 significant strikes per minute at a 67 percent clip while also averaging 2.62 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Volkov sits at number one in the division yet was passed over for the title shot given to Gane, ranked second.
- The eye-poke allegations add a conduct dimension to what is already a charged matchmaking dispute.
- A Gane title challenge directly affects Volkov's path to a championship opportunity at heavyweight.
