Alexander Volkov won via unanimous decision against Waldo Cortes-Acosta with scores of 30-27, 29-28, and 29-28. The New Jersey crowd booed after the fight, apparently favoring Acosta's aggressive callouts to fight in the center. The observer felt Volkov clearly won the first two rounds but expected a more dominant performance similar to his victory over Sergey Pavlovich two years ago. During his octagon interview, Volkov carried the Russian flag and told the booing crowd it was an honor to fight on May 9th. Volkov called for a title shot against any of the top contenders, stating: "Aspinall, Gane, Pereira - doesn't matter, give me a title fight!"
Alexander Volkov extended his heavyweight winning streak with a unanimous decision over Waldo Cortes-Acosta at UFC 328 on May 9th, taking the fight on scores of 30-27, 29-28, and 29-28 — though the New Jersey crowd made its displeasure known with widespread booing when the result was announced.
Volkov, ranked number one in the heavyweight division, improves to 40-11-0. The 37-year-old Russian, who stands six-foot-seven with an 80-inch reach, is one of the most technically refined strikers in the division, landing 4.78 significant strikes per minute at a 57 percent accuracy rate. The crowd appeared frustrated by the fight's pacing, having favored Cortes-Acosta's more aggressive approach and his willingness to engage in the center of the octagon. Volkov was deemed the clearer winner of the first two rounds but did not produce the kind of dominant performance he delivered against Sergey Pavlovich two years ago.
After the final horn, Volkov carried the Russian flag into the octagon and addressed the booing crowd, telling them it was an honor to compete on May 9th. He closed his interview with a direct callout, demanding a title shot and naming current heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, Ciryl Gane, and Alex Pereira as potential opponents.
Why it matters
- Volkov, at rank one, now has a strong case to be next in line for Aspinall's heavyweight title
- Tom Aspinall holds a 15-3-0 record and lands 7.63 significant strikes per minute at 67 percent accuracy, making him one of the most dangerous champions in UFC history
- Ciryl Gane, ranked second at heavyweight with a 14-2-0 record, is also in the title picture, setting up a crowded contender conversation
- A potential Volkov title shot would pit one of the division's most experienced veterans against a champion who is four years younger and statistically more active
Saturday, May 9, 2026
