Tag: Alexander Volkov

Report – Ciryl Gane makes return in rematch fight with Alexander Volkov at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi

Ciryl Gane set to fight Alexander Volkov in rematch at UFC 308 in Abu DhabiFormer interim heavyweight champion, Ciryl Gane return to the Octagon in October at UFC 308 according to reports overnight,…

Ciryl Gane set to fight Alexander Volkov in rematch at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi

Former interim heavyweight champion, Ciryl Gane return to the Octagon in October at UFC 308 according to reports overnight, taking on surging Russian striker, Alexander Volkov in a potential title-eliminator rematch in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Gane, who currently holds the number two rank in the heavyweight division, has been sidelined since he took headlining honors at UFC Fight Night Paris back in September of last year, landing a knockout win over Serghei Spivac.

Ciryl Gane reflects on home robbery during UFC Paris he did a great job
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Ciryl Gane set to book Alexander Volkov rematch for UFC 308

As for Volkov, the former Bellator MMA and M-1 Global heavyweight champion, is currently riding an impressive four-fight winning spree, most recently turning in an impressive unanimous decision win over compariot, Sergei Pavlovich at UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia last month.

Ciryl Gane claims Jon Jones wasn't quick at UFC 285 He was not fast
Mandatory Credit: Per Haljestam – USA TODAY Sports

News of Ciryl Gane’s rematch clash with Alexander Volkov at UFC 308 was initially reported by Brazilian outlet, AgFight.

First sharing the Octagon back in 2021 in a main event showdown, Gane turned in a one-sided unanimous decision win over Volkov, before going on to defeat common-foe, Derrick Lewis in a another lopsided win, this time finishing the veteran heavyweight with a knockout win to clinch the interim divisional crown.

In between championship fight losses to both Francis Ngannou, and a dominant guillotine choke submission defeat to Jon Jones, Gane has racked up knockout finishes over both Tai Tuivasa, and the above-mentioned Spivac. 

38-10 as a professional, Moscow striker, Volkov has gone on a tear since his UFC Fight Night London submission loss to current interim champion, Tom Aspinall back in 2022, embarking on a lengthy winning spree.

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Before his judging win over Pavlovich, Volkov had scored victories over Jairzinho Rozenstruik, Alexander Romanov, and the above-mentioned, Tuivasa – landing finishes over the trio.

UFC 308 takes place on October 26. from the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE – with an official main event fight yet to be booked by the organization at the time of publication. 

Who wins in a UFC 308 rematch: Ciryl Gane or Alexander Volkov?

Alexander Volkov threatens to ‘call the cops’ on Sergei Pavlovich after shoving incident at UFC Saudi Arabia

Alexander Volkov threatens to 'Call the Cops' on Sergei Pavlovich after shoving incident at UFC Saudi ArabiaAlexander Volkov delivered an impressive three-round performance against Sergei Pavlovich at UFC Saudi Arabia. However, it was what happened…

Alexander Volkov threatens to 'Call the Cops' on Sergei Pavlovich after shoving incident at UFC Saudi Arabia

Alexander Volkov delivered an impressive three-round performance against Sergei Pavlovich at UFC Saudi Arabia. However, it was what happened after the fight that garnered most of the attention.

Despite stepping into the fight as a sizeable underdog, Volkov nearly doubled the output of his opponent and landed at a significantly higher clip, leading ‘Drago’ to a fourth-straight win in the heavyweight division.

Alexander Volkov

Immediately following the fight, Volkov approached Pavlovich looking to squash any lingering beef between the two Russians.

Pavlovich wasn’t having any of it.

After being shoved by Pavlovich, the 6’7″ heavyweight addressed the incident during his post-fight interview.

“I don’t know [what happened], I just come to say, ‘Thank you for a great fight’ and he got mad,” Volkov told Daniel Cormier in the Octagon, adding that “Maybe [he shoved me because of] all the games before the fight.”

Asked about the situation during the post-fight press conference, Volkov revealed that it wasn’t necessarily the shove that he took offense to. It was a vulgar comment that Pavlovich directed toward him.

“I mean I didn’t think it was a nice thing to do from him, I guess he’s mad at me. I’m not really sure why and I would love to figure out why, maybe he just misunderstood something but it’s his fault, not mine. To be honest, this was the first time that I’ve ever heard Sergei curse because he kind of told me to—well I’m not going to repeat what he said—but this is the first time I’ve actually heard him maliciously use curse words in my direction” (h/t Bloody Elbow).

With the Russian knockout artists often occupying the same spaces back home, Volkov was asked what would happen if Pavlovich decided to try and restart their scrap behind closed doors.

“If he tries to attack me, I’ll call the cops,” Volkov added.

Alexander Volkov would ‘really like’ to fight for the title next

With the win over Pavlovich, Alexander Volkov is likely to find himself sitting in the No. 3 spot in the heavyweight rankings come Monday morning, priming him for a long-awaited shot at the division’s top prize.

“Yes, I would really like to fight for the title, but that’s beside the point,” Volkav replied when asked about what comes next. “I am an employee of the UFC and I’m going to have to not go with my wishes but go with what they say is right. There has been an unwritten agreement that that will be the case, but who it’s going to be [against] or where it’s going to be, we don’t really know yet.”

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More importantly, Volkov wants to provide the fights that will excite the fans, whether that includes UFC gold or not.

“I would fight the fights that are interesting to the fans, that’s the primary goal,” he added.

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Report – UFC Saudi Arabia fight between Sergei Pavlovich, Alexander Volkov in danger amid surprise booking

UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia fight between Sergei Pavlovich and Alexander Volkov in jeopardy over surprise bookingA potential heavyweight title-eliminator between Russian duo, Sergei Pavlovich and Alexander Volkov is reportedly already in jeopardy for a…

UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia fight between Sergei Pavlovich and Alexander Volkov in jeopardy over surprise booking

A potential heavyweight title-eliminator between Russian duo, Sergei Pavlovich and Alexander Volkov is reportedly already in jeopardy for a UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia card in June – with the pair allegedly blindsided by the announcement of a clash amongst themselves by organizational officials.

Pavlovich, the current number three ranked heavyweight contender, has been sidelined since he co-headlined UFC 295 last November, suffering his second Octagon loss in a stunning first round KO loss to Tom Aspinall in the pair’s interim title fight.

Sergei Pavlovich set to serve as backup to Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic at UFC 295

And as for compatriot, Volkov, the number six rated challenger has yet to return since he stopped Tai Tuivasa back in September at UFC 293 in Australia. 

Alex Volkov UFC 293
Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty

Earlier this week, reports emerged detailing how Volkov would be returning to the Octagon at UFC 301 in May in a trip to Brazil to take on recent feature, Jailton Almeida in a pivotal showdown. 

Sergei Pavlovich, Alexander Volkov reportedly blindsided by fight booking

However, upon the announcement of a UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia card this summer in Riyadh, promotional boss, Dana White revealed Sergei Pavlovich would be taking on Volkov in a co-headliner in the Middle East – much to the reported dismay and surprise of the duo.

“(Alexander) Volkov and (Sergei) Pavlovich were not going to fight each other, they are on good terms, periodically [they] train together,” A source told RingSide24 following an initial report from Red Fury MMA regarding the surprise nature in the booking of Sergei Pavlovich vs. Alexander Volkov. “Such a fight is only possible if it is a [title] challenger or title fight.”

Sergei Pavlovich vows to get revenge on Tom Aspinall in UFC rematch it's inevitable
Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

“Volkov also already had a contract in hand for a fight against Brazilian, Jailton Almeida. Now there will be negotiations between the league [UFC] and managers to have the fight between Volkov and Pavlovic cancelled.” 

Atop the slated UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia card in June, a potential title-eliminator between former middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker, and surging, unbeaten contender, Khamzat Chimaev is slated to take main event status.

What are your thoughts on Sergei Palovich and Alexander Volkov’s potential fight?

Report – UFC Saudi Arabia fight between Sergei Pavlovich, Alexander Volkov in danger amid surprise booking

UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia fight between Sergei Pavlovich and Alexander Volkov in jeopardy over surprise bookingA potential heavyweight title-eliminator between Russian duo, Sergei Pavlovich and Alexander Volkov is reportedly already in jeopardy for a…

UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia fight between Sergei Pavlovich and Alexander Volkov in jeopardy over surprise booking

A potential heavyweight title-eliminator between Russian duo, Sergei Pavlovich and Alexander Volkov is reportedly already in jeopardy for a UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia card in June – with the pair allegedly blindsided by the announcement of a clash amongst themselves by organizational officials.

Pavlovich, the current number three ranked heavyweight contender, has been sidelined since he co-headlined UFC 295 last November, suffering his second Octagon loss in a stunning first round KO loss to Tom Aspinall in the pair’s interim title fight.

Sergei Pavlovich set to serve as backup to Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic at UFC 295

And as for compatriot, Volkov, the number six rated challenger has yet to return since he stopped Tai Tuivasa back in September at UFC 293 in Australia. 

Alex Volkov UFC 293
Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty

Earlier this week, reports emerged detailing how Volkov would be returning to the Octagon at UFC 301 in May in a trip to Brazil to take on recent feature, Jailton Almeida in a pivotal showdown. 

Sergei Pavlovich, Alexander Volkov reportedly blindsided by fight booking

However, upon the announcement of a UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia card this summer in Riyadh, promotional boss, Dana White revealed Sergei Pavlovich would be taking on Volkov in a co-headliner in the Middle East – much to the reported dismay and surprise of the duo.

“(Alexander) Volkov and (Sergei) Pavlovich were not going to fight each other, they are on good terms, periodically [they] train together,” A source told RingSide24 following an initial report from Red Fury MMA regarding the surprise nature in the booking of Sergei Pavlovich vs. Alexander Volkov. “Such a fight is only possible if it is a [title] challenger or title fight.”

Sergei Pavlovich vows to get revenge on Tom Aspinall in UFC rematch it's inevitable
Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

“Volkov also already had a contract in hand for a fight against Brazilian, Jailton Almeida. Now there will be negotiations between the league [UFC] and managers to have the fight between Volkov and Pavlovic cancelled.” 

Atop the slated UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia card in June, a potential title-eliminator between former middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker, and surging, unbeaten contender, Khamzat Chimaev is slated to take main event status.

What are your thoughts on Sergei Palovich and Alexander Volkov’s potential fight?

Alexander Volkov stops Tai Tuivasa with Ezekiel choke in back and forth co main event war – UFC 293 Highlights

Alexander Volkov submits Tai Tuivasa with Ezekiel choke UFC 293 highlightsTurning in just his fourth career submission win, former Bellator MMA and M-1 Global heavyweight champion, Alexander Volkov has also struck his third straight victory under the banner of the UFC, submitting fan-favorite striker, Tai Tuivasa in the co-main event of UFC 293 in Sydney, Australia with a rare Ezekiel choke submission win. Entering tonight’s […]

Alexander Volkov submits Tai Tuivasa with Ezekiel choke UFC 293 highlights

Turning in just his fourth career submission win, former Bellator MMA and M-1 Global heavyweight champion, Alexander Volkov has also struck his third straight victory under the banner of the UFC, submitting fan-favorite striker, Tai Tuivasa in the co-main event of UFC 293 in Sydney, Australia with a rare Ezekiel choke submission win.

Entering tonight’s co-headlining slot against Tuivasa off the back of consecutive TKO wins over both Jairzinho Rozenstruik, and Alexander Romanov, Volkov dropped and bloodied aggressive striker, Tuivasa early in their bout and also before the end of the frame, bloodying the latter to boot.

And laying a beating down on Tuivasa from full mount in the second round of their UFC 293 co-headlining slot, Volkov patiently picked his opportunity, locking onto a spectacular Ezekiel choke with just less than half a minute remaining in he third and final round.

Below, catch the highlights from Alexander Volkov’s win at UFC 293

Tai Tuivasa reflects on brutal KO loss to Sergei Pavlovich ahead of UFC 293: ‘The first hit, I knew I was f*cked’

Tai Tuivasa admits he was f*cked after he was first punched by Sergei Pavlovich at UFC OrlandoSlated to make his Octagon return against towering Russian striker, Alexander Volkov in the co-main event of UFC 293 in September, hometown favorite, Tai Tuivasa has claimed that after his opening exchange with Sergei Pavlovich en route to a first round knockout loss at UFC Orlando back in December, he was essentially “f*cked”. Tuivasa, the […]

Tai Tuivasa admits he was f*cked after he was first punched by Sergei Pavlovich at UFC Orlando

Slated to make his Octagon return against towering Russian striker, Alexander Volkov in the co-main event of UFC 293 in September, hometown favorite, Tai Tuivasa has claimed that after his opening exchange with Sergei Pavlovich en route to a first round knockout loss at UFC Orlando back in December, he was essentially “f*cked”.

Tuivasa, the current number six ranked heavyweight contender under the banner of the promotion, has been booked to make his Octagon return at UFC 293 in September in Sydney, Australia – taking on former Bellator MMA and M-1 Global heavyweight champion, Volkov in a return ‘Down Under’.

Suffering his second consecutive KO loss in his December defeat against surging number one ranked contender, Pavlovich, Tuivasa had headlined UFC Paris in September of last year against former interim titleholder, Ciryl Gane, suffering an eventual third round KO loss to the Frenchman in the pair’s Fight of the Night effort.

Tai Tuivasa reflects on UFC Orlando KO loss last December

And detailing his experience against the surging, Pavlovich last December in ‘The Sunshine State’, Tuivasa admitted that candidly, he was in serious acrimony in the opening exchange with the bruiser.

“That one [fight with Sergei Pavlovich], I was maybe a bit rushed,” Tai Tuivasa told The Halfcast Podcast. “But, I still trained hard. The camp was all right – I was fit. Really, all that fight was down to was who hit who first. And, I was obviously trying to hit him first, but he hit me with the first hit, and I knew I was f*cked.”

“I was just like, ‘F*cking hell,’” Tai Tuivasa explained. “Then I come back and I tired to throw another big hit and then I did this, a 360 spin. I was like, ‘That is not what my head wanted,’ I was already dizzy and then did a full spin. Then it was just I hoped something hit him.” 

Can Tai Tuivasa snap his skid against Alexander Volkov at UFC 293?