Alexander Volkov expressed disappointment that the UFC gave Ciryl Gane another title shot. Volkov criticized Gane's fighting style, stating that what Gane did against Tom Aspinall wasn't the first time he employed such tactics. Volkov recalled their first fight where Gane poked him in the eye, forcing Volkov to take a timeout. The Russian heavyweight described Gane as having good skills but being "a bit of a dirty fighter." Despite acknowledging Gane's technical abilities, Volkov clearly takes issue with his approach.
Alexander Volkov has gone on record criticizing Ciryl Gane's conduct inside the octagon, expressing frustration that the French heavyweight has earned another UFC title shot despite what Volkov considers a pattern of foul play.
Volkov, ranked first in the heavyweight division at 37 years old, holds a 40-11-0 record and stands as one of the most technically accomplished strikers in the weight class. The six-foot-seven Russian, who fights out of Strela Team and carries an 80-inch reach, lands an impressive 4.78 significant strikes per minute at 57 percent accuracy. Speaking publicly, Volkov recalled a specific incident from his previous bout with Gane in which he was poked in the eye and required a timeout to recover. He argued that what Gane did against Tom Aspinall was not an isolated incident, and labeled the Frenchman as "a bit of a dirty fighter" — while stopping short of denying his technical ability.
Gane, ranked second in the heavyweight division at 36 years old, carries a 14-2-0 record and brings considerable skill to the table. The six-foot-four Frenchman out of MMA Factory posts 5.29 significant strikes per minute at 61 percent accuracy, with an 81-inch reach that gives him a physical edge over most opponents. It is that title shot — awarded to Gane by the UFC — that drew Volkov's pointed disapproval.
The champion Gane would be challenging is Tom Aspinall, who holds a 15-3-0 record and sits sixth in the pound-for-pound rankings at just 33 years of age. The English fighter out of Team Kaobon is among the most dangerous heavyweights on the roster, landing 7.63 significant strikes per minute at 67 percent accuracy while also averaging 2.62 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Volkov, as the top-ranked heavyweight contender, has a direct stake in who receives title opportunities ahead of him
- His allegations of repeated foul play add a layer of controversy to Gane's upcoming title shot
- The stylistic history between Volkov and Gane already carries personal weight beyond rankings alone
