Alexander Volkov and Waldo Cortes-Acosta participated in their pre-fight staredown before UFC 328. The faceoff is part of standard promotional activities leading up to their heavyweight bout. No specific details about the interaction or atmosphere are provided in the post. Both fighters are featured on the UFC 328 card. The event appears to be taking place in the near future.
Alexander Volkov and Waldo Cortes-Acosta came face to face Thursday for their pre-fight staredown, completing one of the final promotional obligations before their heavyweight showdown at UFC 328, scheduled for May 9, 2026.
Volkov, known as "Drago," enters the bout as the No. 1-ranked heavyweight contender, carrying a record of 40 wins and 11 losses. The 37-year-old Russian stands six-foot-seven with an 80-inch reach, giving him one of the most imposing physical profiles in the division. He is an active and accurate striker, landing 4.78 significant strikes per minute at a 57 percent accuracy rate — numbers that place him among the most efficient heavyweights on the roster. Volkov trains out of Strela Team and competes from an orthodox stance.
Why it matters
- Volkov's No. 1 ranking means a strong performance could position him directly in line for a heavyweight title shot
- At six-foot-seven with an 80-inch reach, Volkov's physical advantages will be a central factor in the style matchup
- The bout carries meaningful divisional weight at the top of the 265-pound ladder, where contender spots are fiercely contested
Saturday, May 9, 2026
