Alexander Volkov has completed his final bout preparation and analysis before facing Waldo Cortes-Acosta at UFC 328. Volkov stated there are aspects where his opponent is comfortable for him but declined to elaborate before the fight. He confirmed he has set multiple tasks and worked on specific gameplan elements for the bout. Volkov expressed he will see what he can execute during the fight itself. The post indicates this is considered a somewhat ambiguous or uncertain matchup by observers.
Alexander Volkov has wrapped up his final preparation ahead of his heavyweight clash with Waldo Cortes-Acosta at UFC 328 on May 9, 2026, signaling he is ready to execute a carefully constructed gameplan against the rising contender.
Volkov, known as "Drago," enters the bout ranked first in the heavyweight division with a record of 40-11-0. The 37-year-old Russian, who trains out of Strela Team, stands six-foot-seven with an 80-inch reach and fights out of an orthodox stance. He lands 4.78 significant strikes per minute at an impressive 57 percent accuracy, making him one of the more precise heavyweights on the roster. Speaking ahead of the fight, Volkov acknowledged there are areas where his opponent presents a level of comfort for him, though he declined to go into specifics before fight night. He confirmed he has set multiple tasks and worked through defined gameplan elements during camp.
Cortes-Acosta, nicknamed "Salsa Boy," holds a 17-3-0 record and enters ranked tenth in the heavyweight division. The 34-year-old American trains out of Ultimate Kombat Fitness and also fights from an orthodox stance, standing six-foot-four with a 78-inch reach. He is an active striker, landing 5.54 significant strikes per minute, though his accuracy sits at 49 percent, roughly eight points below Volkov's mark.
Why it matters
- Volkov's number-one divisional ranking means a strong performance could put him firmly in title contention
- A win for Cortes-Acosta would be a significant upset and rocket the tenth-ranked heavyweight toward the elite tier
- Both fighters are orthodox strikers of similar build, setting up a technical stand-up exchange with reach and output as key variables
- Volkov's superior accuracy against Cortes-Acosta's higher volume creates an intriguing contrast in striking approaches
Saturday, May 9, 2026
