Alexander Volkov discussed Victory Day and how he teaches his children about it with a pacifist perspective, emphasizing 'anything but war.' When asked to describe Moscow in three words, Volkov previously said 'dirt, traffic, construction' five years ago. However, after visiting last summer, he now calls Moscow 'the best city in the world,' praising its cleanliness and overall quality of life. Volkov discussed these views while traveling through New Jersey with his team. The fighter emphasized he was raised with Soviet-era values of wishing for peaceful skies above.
Alexander Volkov opened up about Victory Day, his Soviet-era upbringing, and a striking reversal on his hometown of Moscow in a recent interview conducted while traveling through New Jersey with his team.
The Russian heavyweight, who competes under the nickname "Drago," reflected on how he passes down the significance of Victory Day to his children, framing it through a pacifist lens centered on a wish for peaceful skies — a value he says was instilled during his Soviet upbringing. The core message he shares with his kids, he explained, is simply "anything but war."
Volkov also addressed a notable change of heart regarding Moscow. Asked to describe the city in three words five years ago, he offered a blunt assessment: "dirt, traffic, construction." Following a visit last summer, his view has shifted entirely. He now calls Moscow "the best city in the world," citing its cleanliness and overall quality of life as reasons for the turnaround.
The 37-year-old stands as the number-one ranked heavyweight in the UFC, carrying a professional record of 40 wins and 11 losses. At six-foot-seven with an 80-inch reach, Volkov is one of the most physically imposing fighters in the division. He lands an impressive 4.78 significant strikes per minute at a 57 percent accuracy rate, numbers that reflect both his volume and precision as a striker. Competing out of Strela Team, the Russian Orthodox heavyweight has long been a fixture near the top of one of the sport's most competitive weight classes.
Why it matters
- Volkov's candid, personal commentary adds dimension to one of the heavyweight division's top-ranked contenders
- His current number-one ranking keeps him in the frame for any heavyweight title conversation
- The remarks, made informally while traveling, offer a rare look at the cultural and personal values shaping one of MMA's elite big men
