Alexander Volkov earned a unanimous decision victory at UFC 333. The win raises the question of whether the heavyweight will be next in line for a title shot.
Alexander Volkov added another decision win to his résumé at UFC 333 on October 24, taking a unanimous verdict over his opponent. The result has revived talk about whether the heavyweight contender has done enough to earn a shot at the title.
Volkov, 40-11-0, entered the night ranked second in the UFC heavyweight division. The 37-year-old Russian, who trains with Strela Team and fights from an orthodox stance, is one of the sport's longest heavyweights. He stands six-foot-seven (201 cm) with an 80-inch (203 cm) reach, and he uses that frame to pile up volume. He lands 4.78 significant strikes per minute at 57 percent accuracy, numbers that point to a fighter who wins rounds by output and precision rather than by seeking the finish.
That profile fits his recent run. UFC 333 was his third straight unanimous or split decision victory in recorded bouts since a loss. His most recent recorded fight before this one came at UFC 328 on May 9, 2026, when he beat Waldo Cortes Acosta by unanimous decision. Before that, he edged Jailton Almeida by split decision at UFC 321 on October 25, 2025. His most recent recorded defeat was a split decision to Ciryl Gane at UFC 310 on December 7, 2024.
The numbers show a fighter who rarely relies on grappling. Volkov averages 0.57 takedowns and 0.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes, so his offense is built almost entirely on striking from range.
Why it matters
- Volkov holds the number two ranking at heavyweight, which puts him within one step of the title picture.
- He has won three consecutive bouts across roughly 12 months, a streak built entirely on judges' scorecards.
- His age, 37, adds urgency to any argument that his window for a title opportunity is now.
Whether the UFC rewards that run with a title fight is the open question. Volkov's case rests on consistency and a ranking near the top. The counterpoint is that none of his recent wins came by stoppage, which can leave matchmakers weighing him against contenders with more decisive finishes.
Saturday, October 24, 2026
