Following Ciryl Gane's interim heavyweight title win over Alex Pereira, Alexander Volkov is being floated as a possible next opponent for the Frenchman. The two have previously met inside the UFC octagon.
Reports suggest that Alexander Volkov is being considered as a potential next opponent for Ciryl Gane following the Frenchman's interim heavyweight title victory over Alex Pereira, though nothing has been officially confirmed.
Volkov, 37, enters the conversation as the top-ranked heavyweight in the UFC. The Russian fighter out of Strela Team carries a professional record of 40-11-0 and stands an imposing six-foot-seven with an 80-inch reach. Known as "Drago," he is one of the more prolific strikers in the division, landing 4.78 significant strikes per minute at a 57 percent accuracy rate. The two fighters have previously shared the octagon, giving this potential rematch an added layer of history.
Gane, now the interim heavyweight champion, is ranked second in the division and holds a record of 14-2-0. The 36-year-old Frenchman trains out of MMA Factory and stands six-foot-four with an 81-inch reach. "Bon Gamin" has posted some of the most refined striking numbers among UFC heavyweights, connecting at 61 percent accuracy while landing 5.29 significant strikes per minute. He also adds a modest grappling dimension, averaging 0.68 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Gane versus Volkov would pit the top two heavyweights in the UFC rankings directly against each other, with the interim title on the line.
- Both fighters are orthodox strikers with elite-level accuracy and volume, setting up a technically sharp stand-up contest.
- A rematch dynamic adds stakes, as the outcome of their first meeting would factor into both fighters' motivations heading in.
- With the heavyweight division in flux following Pereira's defeat, this matchup could clarify the path toward a unified title picture.
