Alexander Volkov shared his thoughts on the recent Curtis Blaydes vs Josh Tuivasa fight, calling it an impressive and entertaining war that fans love to watch. He noted that both heavyweights spent three rounds hitting each other in the face with lots of blood and action. However, Volkov expressed concern about the long-term sustainability of such a fighting style, suggesting that taking that much damage repeatedly can break a fighter physically and mentally. While praising the performance, Volkov questioned whether Tuivasa can continue to fight at that intensity and absorb such punishment fight after fight. He emphasized that no sane person enjoys the pain that comes with such brutal exchanges.
Alexander Volkov has weighed in on the heavyweight clash between Curtis Blaydes and Josh Tuivasa, describing the bout as an entertaining war while raising concerns about the physical toll such a style demands over the long term.
Volkov, ranked first in the heavyweight division, offered measured praise for the performance. The 37-year-old Russian, who stands six-foot-seven with an 80-inch reach, acknowledged that the kind of back-and-forth, blood-soaked action the fight delivered is exactly what fight fans want to see. At the same time, he questioned whether absorbing that level of punishment round after round is sustainable for any fighter, physically or mentally. He noted that no sane person genuinely enjoys the pain that comes with those kinds of exchanges.
Blaydes, the fourth-ranked heavyweight at 35 years old, is known primarily as one of the division's elite wrestlers, averaging 5.38 takedowns per 15 minutes throughout his career with a 19-6 record. The American out of Elevation Fight Team carries an 80-inch reach of his own and a striking accuracy of 50 percent, making him a credible threat on the feet as well. That Blaydes engaged in a standing war over three rounds speaks to the nature of the contest Volkov was reacting to.
Why it matters
- Volkov is the top-ranked heavyweight, so his read on divisional fighters carries weight in the title picture conversation
- His concern about Tuivasa's durability raises questions about where Tuivasa fits in the heavyweight pecking order going forward
- Blaydes absorbing significant damage in a war could factor into how his ranking and future matchmaking develop at 35 years old
- The stylistic contrast between Volkov's disciplined, high-volume striking — 4.78 significant strikes per minute at 57 percent accuracy — and the attrition-style fight he watched underlines different paths to success at heavyweight
