Alexander Volkov shared his perspective on Victory Day, stating that while he celebrates the victory, he feels more sorrow than joy when reflecting on the holiday due to the tragedy of war. He emphasized his gratitude to veterans while expressing hope that such conflicts never occur again. Volkov explained that he raises his children with a pacifist mindset, teaching them the importance of peaceful skies overhead, values he inherited from Soviet-era education. When asked to describe Moscow after five years away, Volkov contrasted his previous description of the city as having dirt, traffic, and construction sites with a much more positive current view. He now considers Moscow the best city in the world for living, beauty, and overall quality of life, noting improvements in cleanliness and infrastructure since his last visit.
Alexander Volkov, the number-one ranked heavyweight contender, spoke publicly on May 9, 2026, about Victory Day and shared a personal reflection on war, peace, and his connection to Moscow after years abroad.
Volkov, who fights out of Russia's Strela Team, acknowledged the holiday but described his feelings as more sorrowful than celebratory. He expressed deep gratitude toward veterans while conveying a sincere hope that armed conflict never repeats itself. The 37-year-old heavweight explained that those values were shaped in part by his Soviet-era upbringing, and that he actively passes a pacifist outlook on to his own children, emphasizing the importance of peaceful skies.
The six-foot-seven Orthodox striker also addressed life in Moscow, contrasting a past description of the city — one marked by dirt, traffic, and construction — with a notably warmer current impression. After five years away, Volkov now considers Moscow the finest city in the world for livability, beauty, and infrastructure, citing visible improvements in cleanliness since his previous visit.
At 37, Volkov holds a professional record of 40 wins and 11 losses and currently sits at number one in the UFC heavyweight division. Standing 201 centimeters tall with an 80-inch reach, he brings considerable physical advantages into the cage. His output of 4.78 significant strikes landed per minute and a striking accuracy of 57 percent reflect a technically sound, high-volume stand-up game across his career.
Why it matters
- Volkov remains the top-ranked heavyweight contender, meaning his profile and public statements carry weight ahead of any future title picture developments
- His comments offer a rare personal look at the man behind the fighter — his family values, upbringing, and relationship with his home country
- The interview underlines how elite fighters navigate public identity across sport, culture, and national sentiment
