Alexander Volkov shared his thoughts on Victory Day, describing it as a holiday he observes with more sorrow than celebration, expressing gratitude to veterans while lamenting that such a war occurred. He emphasized his desire to teach children that such situations should never be allowed to happen again. Volkov said he raises his children with a pacifist worldview, echoing Soviet-era sentiments of wishing for peace above all else. When asked to describe Moscow after five years away, he praised the city's cleanliness and called it the best city in the world for living and beauty. He noted that while weather-related conditions remain, the overall quality and appearance of Moscow have improved significantly.
Alexander Volkov used the occasion of Victory Day on May 9 to reflect on war, peace, and fatherhood, offering a candid perspective on the holiday and his return to Moscow after five years abroad.
Volkov, known as "Drago," is the number-one ranked heavyweight contender in the UFC at 37 years old. The Russian fighter stands six-foot-seven with an 80-inch reach and carries a professional record of 40 wins and 11 losses. He competes out of Strela Team and has built a reputation as one of the most active and accurate strikers in the heavyweight division, landing 4.78 significant strikes per minute at a 57 percent striking accuracy rate.
Speaking about Victory Day, Volkov described the holiday as one he approaches with more sorrow than celebration. He expressed gratitude toward veterans while lamenting that such a war had to happen at all. His core message was directed at the next generation: he said he raises his children with a pacifist worldview, wanting them to understand that such conflicts must never be allowed to occur again. The sentiment, he noted, echoes the Soviet-era wish for peace above everything else.
Volkov also reflected on returning to Moscow after five years away, praising the city's cleanliness and calling it the finest city in the world for both livability and beauty. He acknowledged that some weather-related conditions persist but said the city's overall quality and appearance have improved considerably.
Why it matters
- Volkov's public comments offer a rare personal dimension to one of the UFC heavyweight division's top contenders
- His remarks on pacifism and raising children away from conflict add context to how a professional fighter reconciles his career with his values
- As the number-one ranked heavyweight, any insight into his mindset and current life circumstances is relevant to his divisional standing
