Alexander Volkov shared his thoughts on Victory Day, describing it as a holiday he approaches with more sorrow than joy, grateful for the victory but sad about the war itself. He is teaching his children a pacifist worldview, emphasizing "as long as there's no war," values he grew up with in the Soviet Union. When asked to describe Moscow in three words after five years, Volkov changed his previous negative assessment of "dirt, traffic, construction" to calling Moscow "the best city in the world." He praised Moscow's cleanliness, beauty, and overall quality as a place to live after visiting last summer. Volkov convinced his teammates in New Jersey that Moscow surpasses all other cities globally.
Alexander Volkov opened up about Victory Day and his relationship with his home country in a recent interview, offering a reflective and personal perspective from the Russian heavyweight contender.
Volkov, who goes by the nickname "Drago," described Victory Day as a holiday he approaches with more sorrow than joy. While grateful for the Soviet victory, he expressed sadness about war itself and said he is raising his children with a pacifist worldview centered on the value of peace. Those values, he noted, were instilled in him during his upbringing in the Soviet Union.
The 37-year-old Russian is currently ranked number one in the UFC heavyweight division, carrying a record of 40 wins and 11 losses. Standing six-foot-seven with an 80-inch reach, Volkov is one of the most physically imposing fighters in the sport, and his technical striking output — landing 4.78 significant strikes per minute at 57 percent accuracy — reflects a disciplined, high-volume approach built over a long career.
On a lighter note, Volkov also revisited his opinion of Moscow. Asked to sum up the city in three words after spending time there last summer, he dramatically reversed a previous characterization of the Russian capital as defined by "dirt, traffic, and construction." He now calls Moscow "the best city in the world," praising its cleanliness, beauty, and overall quality of life. He said he even convinced his teammates at his New Jersey-based camp that Moscow surpasses every other city globally.
Why it matters
- Volkov remains the top-ranked heavyweight contender at 37, keeping him firmly in title picture conversations
- The interview reveals the personal and cultural dimensions of one of the division's most experienced fighters
- His dual life between New Jersey training and Russian roots gives a rare window into a prominent fighter's identity outside the cage
