Alexander Volkov defeated Waldo Cortes-Acosta by unanimous decision with scorecards of 30-27, 29-28, and 29-28 at UFC 328. The New Jersey crowd booed the result, apparently favoring Cortes-Acosta's aggressive calls to fight in the center of the octagon. The analyst believed Volkov won the first two rounds but expected a more dominant performance, comparing it to Volkov's victory over Sergei Pavlovich two years ago. During the post-fight interview, Volkov carried the Russian flag and told the booing crowd it was an honor to fight on May 9th. He then called for a title shot against any of the top heavyweights: Tom Aspinall, Ciryl Gane, or Alex Pereira.
Alexander Volkov earned a unanimous decision victory over Waldo Cortes-Acosta at UFC 328 on May 9th, with two judges scoring it 29-28 and a third turning in a 30-27 card in favor of the Russian heavyweight.
Volkov, known as "Drago," enters the win at 40-11-0 and stands as the number-one ranked heavyweight in the UFC. The 37-year-old Russian, who fights out of Strela Team, is an imposing physical presence at six-foot-seven with an 80-inch reach. He lands 4.78 significant strikes per minute at a 57 percent accuracy rate, and his performance against Cortes-Acosta drew mixed reactions despite the scorecards going his way. The New Jersey crowd audibly booed the result, apparently siding with Cortes-Acosta's more aggressive approach and his willingness to engage in the center of the octagon. Analysis suggested Volkov controlled the first two rounds but fell short of the dominant showing he delivered in his earlier win over Sergei Pavlovich. In the post-fight interview, Volkov waved the Russian flag and addressed the booing crowd, telling them it was an honor to compete on May 9th — a date of significant national significance in Russia. He then called out the top names in the division, targeting UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, second-ranked Ciryl Gane, or Alex Pereira.
Why it matters
- Volkov, already ranked number one at heavyweight, has positioned himself as the mandatory challenger in waiting with a direct callout of the champion.
- Tom Aspinall holds the heavyweight title at 15-3-0 and is ranked sixth pound-for-pound, averaging 7.63 significant strikes per minute at 67 percent accuracy — a stark stylistic contrast to Volkov's measured output.
- Ciryl Gane, ranked second at 14-2-0, also enters the conversation; the Frenchman carries an 81-inch reach and lands 5.29 significant strikes per minute, offering a different but equally compelling potential matchup.
- A victory that leaves the crowd unconvinced could add pressure on Volkov to deliver a more emphatic performance should a title shot materialize.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
