Alexander Volkov's Title Shot Hopes Complicated by Crowded Heavyweight Division

Alexander Volkov secured the number-one contender spot at UFC 321 but has since seen his path to a title shot become increasingly complicated. Tom Aspinall's injury, Alex Pereira's move to heavyweight, and the rise of contenders including Ciryl Gane, Sergei Pavlovich, and Jailton Almeida have all complicated Volkov's position in the queue. Even if Aspinall is ready to compete later this year, Volkov would be unlikely to receive his shot before next spring at the earliest.