Alexander Volkov faces crowded heavyweight queue despite No. 1 contender status

Alexander Volkov earned the undisputed No. 1 contender spot at UFC 321, but a series of developments has pushed a title shot further away. Tom Aspinall's return is expected to produce a unification bout in November or December at the earliest, meaning Volkov likely won't get his opportunity until spring at the earliest. Sergei Pavlovich, Ciryl Gane, Jailton Almeida, and Rodrigo Nascimento are all active in the division and pressing their own claims.