Alexander Volkov Faces Crowded Heavyweight Queue Despite Being Ranked No. 1 Contender

Alexander Volkov cemented his position as the undisputed No. 1 heavyweight contender at UFC 321, but a series of circumstances has left him stuck in a long waiting line for a title shot. Ciryl Gane's actions sidelined champion Tom Aspinall, while Alex Pereira's move to heavyweight and the rises of Jailton Almeida and Sergei Pavlovich have added further complications. If Aspinall is ready to compete before year's end, a unification fight with the interim champion is targeted for November or December at the earliest, meaning Volkov's title opportunity may not materialize until spring at the soonest.