Volkov questions heavyweight belt's meaning before UFC 333 fight with Kuniev

MMA-TV Newsroom Summarized with AI Today at 4:22 AM Updated Today at 1:23 PM AI checked Today at 2:20 PM

The bottom line

Volkov, who fights Rizvan Kuniev at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi, says Gane's belt may be losing meaning and believes a win could earn him a title shot after a new UFC deal.

From 5 reports by 5 outlets

Volkov questions heavyweight belt's meaning before UFC 333 fight with Kuniev — Photo via La Sueur

Latest Volkov questions belt's meaning, reveals new multi-fight UFC deal Today at 1:23 PM 5 outlets

What we know

Volkov signed a new multi-fight UFC deal ahead of UFC 333.
Ciryl Gane, the undisputed heavyweight champion, defends against Josh Hokit at UFC 334 on Nov. 14.

Reported, not confirmed

Alex Pereira fights Sergei Pavlovich in the co-main event of UFC 335 on Dec. 12. MMA Fighting
Combat Sports UK lists Volkov as the No. 2 heavyweight. Combat Sports UK
Volkov says he did not train for more than four months after his second loss to Gane and considered retiring, according to La Sueur. La Sueur

Today at 4:22 AM

Alexander Volkov goes into his UFC 333 bout with Rizvan Kuniev frustrated by the heavyweight title picture. He says he has won six of his past seven fights, with the only loss a split decision to Ciryl Gane, yet has watched Gane get title shots against Tom Aspinall and Alex Pereira and now a defense against Josh Hokit.

Volkov told MMA Fighting that Gane's fouls in the White House fight and Hokit's showmanship leave the belt with a different meaning. "If I will have the belt, the belt will have meaning."

He believes a win over the lower-ranked Kuniev could earn him a title shot regardless of how Pereira vs. Sergei Pavlovich goes at UFC 335, though he admits it depends on the people who make the decision. In an interview with La Sueur, he said he considered ending his career after his second loss to Gane and did not train for more than four months before returning.

Summary: Volkov, who fights Rizvan Kuniev at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi, says Gane's belt may be losing meaning and believes a win could earn him a title shot after a new UFC deal.

Key points (one per line): Volkov says the heavyweight belt may be losing its meaning, citing Gane's fouls and the Hokit booking
Volkov signed a new multi-fight UFC deal before UFC 333
Gane defends against Josh Hokit at UFC 334 on Nov. 14
Volkov says he considered retiring after his second loss to Gane